Field Study Read Online Free Page B

been under his nose.
    He said, "I don't. And I'd like you to hurry through my resignation as fast as you can, chief."
    "I still don't understand why, Frankie. We're pals, aren't we, apart from official status? I know I've had to drive you hard lately. Had to drive myself, too. Sorry I put you on this off-routine stunt. But if you want to rest up for a while—"
    Pake inhaled again, audibly. Someone was cooking spaghetti bolognese quite a distance away. "I want to be free to take legal action on behalf of Trancore if those witch-doctors have him arrested on some trumped-up charge just to give themselves more time to examine him. I'll take personal responsibility for seeing him home to India."
    "You can do that without resigning. I'll fix special leave, if you insist on being crazy."
    "That's not all, though." Pake wondered how he could explain, regretfully decided it was impossible. "I'm taking an intensive two year course for a new career."
    "So you told me. I thought you were drunk. Anyway, how will Betty take to a fool idea like that? She goes for the bright lights, doesn't she? And I thought her — nerves were edgy."
    "She's all for it," Pake said, and was amused at his chief's gape-mouthed disbelief. "A neurosis is a disease. And she met Trancore. I'll send you a card when we get started."
    THE card arrived three years later. It was headed:
    M'Beli Medical Mission Station Upper Congo
    Pake wrote: ". .. probably the most backward tribe mentally and physically in the whole of Africa. Some trouble from the witch-Doctors at first, but I've settled down quite nicely now and I think they're beginning to trust me, with Betty's help. The women love her. Tribal customs are fascinating. Watch out for my name in the Anthropological Review. "