Why? In Istanbul I have friends of all kinds, even
in government circles. There our business has its central office. My
name is very well known there."
The hand on Gabriel's knee became heavier. "For that very reason --
because you are so well known there -- I would warn you against even a
short stay in the capital."
"Because of the fighting in the Dardanelles?"
"No. Not because of that." The Agha's face became inscrutable. Before
continuing, he listened to some inner voice. "No one can tell how far the
government may go. But this much is certain -- the great and respected
among your people will be the first to suffer. And it is equally certain
in such a case that arrests and accusations will be begun in the capital."
"Do you speak by hearsay, or have you any certain grounds for your warning?"
The Agha let his amber beads vanish into his wide sleeve. "Yes, I have
certain grounds."
Now Gabriel could no longer control himself and sprang up. "What shall
we do?"
"If I may advise you -- go home to your house in Yoghonoluk, stay there
in peace, and wait. You could not have chosen a pleasanter place of
sojourn for yourself and your family, in the circumstances."
"In peace?" Gabriel cried out scornfully. "It is already a prison."
Rifaat Bereket turned away his face, perturbed by this loud voice in
the quiet selamlik. "You must not lose your self-control. Forgive me
if my candid words have wounded you. You have not the least reason for
anxiety. Probably it will all vanish in sand. Nothing bad can happen in
our vilayet, since, God be praised, Djelal Bey is the Wali. He submits
to no high-handed measures. Yet whatever is to come is there already,
enfolded within itself, like bud, blossom, and fruit within the seed.
What will happen to us has happened already in God."
Riled by these flowery theological commonplaces, Bagradian, careless now
of forms, paced up and down. "The most horrible thing is that there is
nothing to hold on to -- nothing to fight against."
The Agha approached the distraught Gabriel, to hold his two hands firmly
within his own. "Never forget, my friend, that the blasphemous knaves
from your Committee are no more than a very small minority. Our people
is a kindly people. If again and again blood has been shed in anger,
you yourselves are no less guilty of that than we. And then -- there are
enough men of God who live in the tekkehs, in the cloisters, and fight for
the purity of the future within their holy circles of prayer. Either they
win or we all perish. I must tell you, too, that my journey to Anatolia
and Istanbul is to be made on behalf of the Armenians. I implore you to
trust in God."
The Agha's little hands were strong enough to pacify Gabriel. "You are
right. I will do as you say. Best to creep back into Yoghonoluk and not
stir again till the war is over."
Still the Agha did not let go of his hands. "Promise me that at home you
will say no word of all these things. After all, why should you? If all
goes as before, you will only have frightened people unnecessarily.
If any evil should come upon you, the fear of it will have been of
no avail. You understand me -- trust, and keep silence."
And in taking leave he repeated urgently: "Trust, and keep silence. . . .
You will not see me again for many months. But think that in all that
time I shall be working for you. I received much kindness from your
fathers. And now, in my age, God is permitting me to be grateful."
3. THE NOTABLES OF YOGHONOLUK
The ride home took some time, since Gabriel seldom galloped his horse
and kept letting it slow down to its own pace. This also led to his
straying off the shortest road and remaining on the highroad along the
Orontes. Only when, beyond the clustered houses of Suedia and El Eskel,
the far sea-line came into sight, did the rider start out of
in government circles. There our business has its central office. My
name is very well known there."
The hand on Gabriel's knee became heavier. "For that very reason --
because you are so well known there -- I would warn you against even a
short stay in the capital."
"Because of the fighting in the Dardanelles?"
"No. Not because of that." The Agha's face became inscrutable. Before
continuing, he listened to some inner voice. "No one can tell how far the
government may go. But this much is certain -- the great and respected
among your people will be the first to suffer. And it is equally certain
in such a case that arrests and accusations will be begun in the capital."
"Do you speak by hearsay, or have you any certain grounds for your warning?"
The Agha let his amber beads vanish into his wide sleeve. "Yes, I have
certain grounds."
Now Gabriel could no longer control himself and sprang up. "What shall
we do?"
"If I may advise you -- go home to your house in Yoghonoluk, stay there
in peace, and wait. You could not have chosen a pleasanter place of
sojourn for yourself and your family, in the circumstances."
"In peace?" Gabriel cried out scornfully. "It is already a prison."
Rifaat Bereket turned away his face, perturbed by this loud voice in
the quiet selamlik. "You must not lose your self-control. Forgive me
if my candid words have wounded you. You have not the least reason for
anxiety. Probably it will all vanish in sand. Nothing bad can happen in
our vilayet, since, God be praised, Djelal Bey is the Wali. He submits
to no high-handed measures. Yet whatever is to come is there already,
enfolded within itself, like bud, blossom, and fruit within the seed.
What will happen to us has happened already in God."
Riled by these flowery theological commonplaces, Bagradian, careless now
of forms, paced up and down. "The most horrible thing is that there is
nothing to hold on to -- nothing to fight against."
The Agha approached the distraught Gabriel, to hold his two hands firmly
within his own. "Never forget, my friend, that the blasphemous knaves
from your Committee are no more than a very small minority. Our people
is a kindly people. If again and again blood has been shed in anger,
you yourselves are no less guilty of that than we. And then -- there are
enough men of God who live in the tekkehs, in the cloisters, and fight for
the purity of the future within their holy circles of prayer. Either they
win or we all perish. I must tell you, too, that my journey to Anatolia
and Istanbul is to be made on behalf of the Armenians. I implore you to
trust in God."
The Agha's little hands were strong enough to pacify Gabriel. "You are
right. I will do as you say. Best to creep back into Yoghonoluk and not
stir again till the war is over."
Still the Agha did not let go of his hands. "Promise me that at home you
will say no word of all these things. After all, why should you? If all
goes as before, you will only have frightened people unnecessarily.
If any evil should come upon you, the fear of it will have been of
no avail. You understand me -- trust, and keep silence."
And in taking leave he repeated urgently: "Trust, and keep silence. . . .
You will not see me again for many months. But think that in all that
time I shall be working for you. I received much kindness from your
fathers. And now, in my age, God is permitting me to be grateful."
3. THE NOTABLES OF YOGHONOLUK
The ride home took some time, since Gabriel seldom galloped his horse
and kept letting it slow down to its own pace. This also led to his
straying off the shortest road and remaining on the highroad along the
Orontes. Only when, beyond the clustered houses of Suedia and El Eskel,
the far sea-line came into sight, did the rider start out of
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