Difficulty of helping the sick
" To save you the trouble of walking," they said, as they
laid him down on the ground.
Though his pulse still raced, the arm undoubtedly looked
better; it had turned to a colour of healthy flesh, and the boy
himself seemed no weaker. The lieutenant, who had first
been indifferent, was impressed when he saw that I put off
calling on him, so as to see the sick boy, and evidently took
it that philanthropy was the order of the day. He said that
a government doctor would cure him if he could be got to
Husainabad.
" How can they get him there?" said the old kadkhuda.
" It means two days for the going alone, and they have not a
penny in the world with which to hire a donkey or a horse/'
" Let that not stand in the way," said the lieutenant. " If
they find an animal for transport, I will pay for it and give
them a letter to the doctor."
I thought this a generous offer, and expected to see the
animal appear. But nothing happened. When the evening
came, I asked whether anything was being done about it.
" You don't imagine that that man meant what he said?"
the tribesmen asked me. " If we found a horse, he would
not pay for it: and if the boy reached Husainabad, the doctor
would not cure him for nothing. He only speaks to make
himself great in your eyes."
I am still reluctant to think so evilly of the policeman.
But evidently nothing was going to be done.
" If the lieutenant does not pay, I will," said I. " I will
give two tomans as soon as I see the boy actually setting out:
that will take him to Husainabad and leave something over
for food. And I myself will see that he gets the doctor there."
" Your heart is full of compassion," they said. " If God
wills, a horse may be found."
But when they brought the boy that evening, nothing had