I saw Edmund look startled.
“Get away on deck and I’ll follow you in a minute,” he said.
Jakoub gravely salaamed and left, carefully closing the door.
“What’s the matter?” asked Welfare.
“I’m just going to see. Nothing much, I expect,” Edmund replied, but I thought there was a note of anxiety in his voice.
“Infernal cheek of him walking in here, whatever it is,” grumbled Welfare.
“Yes, of course,” Edmund agreed. “He should have given his message to Hassan.”
I was enjoying the situation, taking the cowardly pleasure that one does when a man one dislikes incurs the blame of people one suspects of supporting him. I had felt I was in a minority in my resentment of Jakoub, and now I tasted the craven joy of having others on my side.
“Excuse me,” said Edmund as he finished his coffee, and he went on deck.
“I hope there’s nothing wrong?” I said to Welfare.