acrossasiaminoro00chiluoft

22 ACROSS ASIA MINOR ON FOOT
welcoming host, and yet one who stood upon a certain
dignity. He would have nothing to do with handling
baggage. That was the work of underlings — perhaps
his sons— who would look for tips when I left, and
whose opportunities of earning them were not to be
diminished by the master's interference. Meanwhile
another underling, with the unmistakably horsey air
of an ostler despite his enormously baggy breeches
and beslippered feet, helped Achmet to unharness.
He was called Ali, was thin-featured and dark, and
a glance showed him to be a man of distinctive
personality and master of his calling. As if entirely
for his own information, he ran a quick hand down
the fore-leg of one pony. Then he threw each long
trailing tail into a loose knot, gave each beast a
friendly punch in the ribs to start it from the shaft,
and led the pair to the stable with an accompaniment
of soft whistling that doubtless meant something to
himself and them. In the stable, Achmet, as careful
owner, rubbed down the ponies, and gave them
barley ; but Ali returned to the yard, and pushed
the araha about, getting it into position for the
time when the whole space would be packed with
vehicles. As a last duty he unshipped the pole and
placed it on the ground between the wheels. He then
was free to resume his stool beside the entrance, and
roll another cigarette, and drink another small cup of
black coifee.
While these scenes went on below, and the luggage
was being carried upstairs, a tall young odahashi,
or room attendant, took me to a room. He produced
a bunch of big keys, unlocked the door, and
flung it open with a flourish ; for it was " the best
room in the inn," one, moreover, in the position of
chief honour, being above the entrance archway.
Floor, walls, and ceiling were of unpainted boards.
For blinds the windows were screened by lengths of
dirty white cotton nailed along the top. Dust lay
thick on the floor and rickety table, the only article
in the room except a red earthenware pitcher. On