Work intensified in the department during the preparation of the budget. The Director of Administration needed additional officers from his subordinate sections and Othman was seconded from the Archives. This pleased him and he thought his chance had come. He braced himself for the task with great eagerness. He worked with the auditors and also with the deputy directors. Moreover, he attended meetings with the Director of Administration himself. It was like a volcanic eruption—as if he had just been waiting for the chance ever since his heart had taken fire with sacred ambition. He did not hesitate to place himself at the disposal of his seniors from early morning until midnight. In conditions so critical and delicate the administration was oblivious to everything save true competence. The budget was a serious business connected with the Director General, the Under Secretary of State, the Minister, the Cabinet, the Parliament, and the press. In those busy strenuous days nepotism stood no chance; rather, natural selection prevailed, the competent came to the forefront, and personal ability was recognized, though not, perhaps, rewarded. Othman attracted attention and won full confidence. His extraordinary capacity for work was evident and so was his knowledge of laws and regulations. As if he had not achieved enough success, he volunteered in secret to draft the budget statement which was normally written by the Director of Administration himself. On one occasion he had a chance to see the Director on his own on some business. When he had shown him his papers, he said with great deference, “Director, allow me to present to you some notes I took during work. They may be of some use in the editing of the budget statement.”

Hamza al-Suwayfi did not seem to take him seriously. “You are an excellent young man as everyone says…” he said kindly.

“I do not deserve the compliment, sir.”

“By the way, congratulations! Your promotion to grade seven has been approved today.”

This was Othman’s moment of triumph. “It’s thanks to you and your help,” he said gratefully.

“Congratulations!” the Director said, smiling. “But as for the budget statement, that’s a different matter.”

“Forgive me, sir,” said Othman apologetically. “I wouldn’t dare to handle the budget statement itself. It’s just that I made some notes during work. They’re the notes of a hard worker who has studied law and finance and only wished to be of some service to you when you set about composing the real statement.”

The man took the notes and started to read them while Othman watched attentively. He found the work absorbing. That was obvious. At last he said with an air of superficial calm, “Your style is good.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“It seems you are an excellent reader.”

“I believe so, sir.”

“What do you read?”

“Literature, biographies of great men, English and French.”

“Can you do translation?”

“I spend my spare time perusing dictionaries.”