DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4593#0367
336 THE ISLES AND SHRINES OF GREECE
northern part of Eubcea. He counted it part of his
pleasure in life to spend some months there every
year. He had done much to develop and beautify it.
It had become another home to him, hardly second
in his affections to his beloved France. He was sud-
denly overtaken by sickness, and his two sons were
summoned from Paris. They came as fast as train
and steamer and one day of quarantine would per-
mit, but the death angel moved faster, and when
they reached Athens they received tidings of their
father's death. It was a friendly guide conduct-
ing these two gentlemen who had knocked at my
door. They explained that their father was a devout
French Protestant; he had wished to be buried in
his beloved Eubcea. There was not a Protestant
minister on the island; would I, an American, go
with them and conduct the service? In such an hour
language, distance, nationality, all give way to frater-
nity. These gentlemen immediately won my interest,
respect and brotherly sympathy. Their request
meant a round trip by water of over four hundred
miles, two possible fits of seasickness, — both of
which were realized, — the absence of three and a
half days from Athens, and the interruption of regu-
lar work. But it did not take me three minutes to
answer " Yes."
It was then three o'clock. It was arranged that
Messieurs Mimont should call two hours later and
we should drive to the Piraeus together. I packed
my bag, wrote a few cards postponing engagements,
called on Dr. Manatt, the United States Consul,
who held all Americans in Athens in his fraternal
and patriotic keeping, and at half-past five was in
northern part of Eubcea. He counted it part of his
pleasure in life to spend some months there every
year. He had done much to develop and beautify it.
It had become another home to him, hardly second
in his affections to his beloved France. He was sud-
denly overtaken by sickness, and his two sons were
summoned from Paris. They came as fast as train
and steamer and one day of quarantine would per-
mit, but the death angel moved faster, and when
they reached Athens they received tidings of their
father's death. It was a friendly guide conduct-
ing these two gentlemen who had knocked at my
door. They explained that their father was a devout
French Protestant; he had wished to be buried in
his beloved Eubcea. There was not a Protestant
minister on the island; would I, an American, go
with them and conduct the service? In such an hour
language, distance, nationality, all give way to frater-
nity. These gentlemen immediately won my interest,
respect and brotherly sympathy. Their request
meant a round trip by water of over four hundred
miles, two possible fits of seasickness, — both of
which were realized, — the absence of three and a
half days from Athens, and the interruption of regu-
lar work. But it did not take me three minutes to
answer " Yes."
It was then three o'clock. It was arranged that
Messieurs Mimont should call two hours later and
we should drive to the Piraeus together. I packed
my bag, wrote a few cards postponing engagements,
called on Dr. Manatt, the United States Consul,
who held all Americans in Athens in his fraternal
and patriotic keeping, and at half-past five was in