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“If a girl offers to sleep with you, that is not bribery,” said Christopher.
“Don’t be silly,” replied Obi. “You mean you honestly cannot see anything wrong in taking advantage of a young girl straight from school who wants to go to a university?”
“You are being sentimental. A girl who comes the way she did is not an innocent little girl. It’s like the story of the girl who was given a form to fill in. She put down her name and her age. But when she came to sex she wrote: ‘Twice a week.’ ” Obi could not help laughing.
“Don’t imagine that girls are angels.”
“I was not imagining any such thing. But it is scandalous that a man of your education can see nothing wrong in going to bed with a girl before you let her appear before the board.”
“This girl was appearing before the board, anyway. That was all she expected you to do: to see that she did appear. And how do you know she did not go to bed with the board members?”
“She probably did.”
“Well, then, what good have you done her?”
“Very little, I admit,” said Obi, trying to put his thoughts in order, “but perhaps she will remember that there was one man at least who did not take advantage of his position.”
“But she probably thinks you are impotent.”
There was a short pause.
“Now tell me, Christopher. What is your definition of bribery?”
“Well, let’s see.… The use of improper influence.”
“Good. I suppose—”
“But the point is, there was no influence at all. The girl was going to be interviewed, anyway. She came voluntarily to have a good time. I cannot see that bribery is involved at all.”
“
Of course, I know you’re not really serious.”
“I am dead serious.”
“But I’m surprised you cannot see that the same argument can be used for taking money. If the applicant is getting the job, anyway, then there is no harm in accepting money from him.”
“Well—”
“Well, what?”
“You see, the difference is this.” He paused. “Let’s put it this way. No man wants to part with his money. If you accept money from a man you make him poorer. But if you go to bed with a girl who asks for it, I don’t see that you have done any harm.”
They argued over dinner and late into the night. But no sooner had Christopher said good night than Obi’s thoughts returned to the letter he had received from his father.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Obi was granted two weeks’ local leave from 10th to 24th February. He decided to set out for Umuofia very early on the 11th, spend the night at Benin, and conclude the journey the following day. Clara exchanged duties with another nurse so as to be free to help with his packing. She spent the whole day—and the night—in Obi’s flat.
When they went to sleep she said she had something to tell him and began to cry. Obi had not learnt to cope with tears; he was always alarmed. “What’s the matter, Clara?” But he only got warm tears on the arm which lay between her head and the pillow. Clara cried silently, but Obi could feel from the way her body shook that she was crying violently. He kept asking: “What’s the matter? What’s the matter?” and getting more and more alarmed.
“Excuse me,” she said. She got up and went to the dressing table, where her handbag stood, brought out a handkerchief, and blew her nose. Then she went back to the bed with the handkerchief and sat on the edge.
“Come and tell me what is the trouble,” said Obi, gently pulling her down. He kissed her and it tasted salty. “What is it?”
Clara said she was very sorry to let him down at this eleventh hour. But she was sure it would be in everybody’s best interest if they broke off their engagement. Obi was deeply stung, but he said nothing for a long time. Afterwards Clara repeated that she was very sorry. There was another long silence.
Then Obi said: “I can understand.… It’s perfectly all right.… I don’t blame you in the least.” He wanted to add: “Why should you throw yourself away on someone who can’t make both ends meet?” But he did not want to sound sentimental. He said instead: “Thank you very much for everything.” He sat up in bed. Then he got up altogether and began to pace the room in his pyjamas. It was too dark for Clara to see him—which heightened the effect. But he soon realized that he would have regarded such action, if somebody else had performed it, as cheaply theatrical, and so he stopped and returned to bed, but not close to Clara. He was, however, soon persuaded to move closer and to talk.
