Lace II by Shirley Conran

Author:Shirley Conran
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Books

9

Mid-June 1979

OUTSIDE THE SYDONITE Embassy, the June sun sparkled on the distant Potomac. A picket line of dejected feminists in jumpsuits carried placards that read “Arabs oppress women.” “Islam equals mutilation,” and “CUT IT OUT!”

Wearily, the cops cleared a path for King Abdullah, who flashed out of the maroon Rolls and through the imposing front door, followed by General Suliman.

“Mark Scott’s exhibition is a great success.” His Majesty peeled off white gloves and thwacked them onto the silver salver proffered by a robed servant. “And that leader in the Washington Post about the circumcised child was exactly what I’d hoped for.”

“If the World Health Organization really got behind us, such atrocities would be forgotten in ten years,” said General Suliman. “Tomorrow, Your Majesty will meet the Coptic woman doctor who led the campaign against female circumcision in Egypt. I have put the United Nations report on your desk.”

“What’s the summary?”

“Only the Sydonite women themselves can stop this practice. A man may agree that a virgin bride need not be proven so by mutilation but the women do not believe that, when it comes to the point, a man will accept such a girl. Because of their fear, no progress can be made.”

Abdullah sighed, then asked, “What’s next?”

“The child specialist is waiting in the audience chamber, Your Majesty; then this evening you will preside at a banquet which is being held here, in the Embassy.” The General stood aside as Abdullah strode into the audience chamber. Two neat, gray-suited men were waiting for him. Abdullah looked surprised. “I was expecting you alone, Doctor.”

“My colleague, Doctor Margolies, specializes in the psychiatric problems of adolescents.”

The King raised his eyebrows. The doctor elaborated. “After examining Prince Hassan, I find that there is nothing physically wrong with him, Your Majesty. He is a healthy boy.”

“Then why is he constantly ill at school? He’s missed so many lessons that the headmaster’s warned me that my nephew may not be accepted for Eton. Yet two years ago, he was a perfect student.”

“Perhaps too perfect, Your Majesty,” the psychiatrist suggested. “Prince Hassan seems to be a quiet, well-behaved and studious boy, but he is abnormally docile for a twelve-year-old, and shows little sign of aggression or curiosity. He is exhibiting the classic behavior of a child reared in an overly authoritarian home environment.”

“What has that to do with his illness?”

“Prince Hassan seems to … prefer being ill to being healthy.”

“If my nephew is malingering because of idleness, then he must be disciplined.”

For nine months of the year, Prince Hassan attended Port Regis, a British boys’ boarding school in Dorset. During the holidays, Prince Hassan was tutored in twentieth century history, military strategy, tactics, and modern statecraft. For one hour a day he was permitted to play. This meant training his falcons, with the keeper of the Royal Mews. Prince Hassan was not encouraged to play with children of his own age, because it was thought that this would make him vulnerable to kidnap and assassination attempts.

Doctor Margolies said, “Prince Hassan is not malingering, Your Majesty.

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