The Camel of Destruction (14 page)

Both wives then lent out their money locally at a handsome rate of interest. They were not alone. A surprising number of fellahin had gone down the same slippery path as Yussuf.

The result was a considerable transfer of wealth from the fellahin to their wives. Not long after, it was estimated that the fellahin women had become creditors to three-fifths of the debts of the fellahin. The Agricultural Bank was a poor second.

Which left Owen even more puzzled about the ways of the financial world.

He himself, however, had his own difficulties.

‘
Still
no money?’ said Zeinab’s father, Nuri Pasha, affecting surprise. ‘With all your opportunities? What
have
you been doing?’