Othman was much moved at the time and for a long while after. The moral of the situation pierced his heart as if he was returning from the burial of a close friend. But he roused himself in the nick of time and said to himself, “The sorrows of this world exist to sharpen our determination, not to dull it.”

His thoughts were riveted on the position which would soon be declared vacant. He was by general agreement an able, honest, and upright man. In fact, nobody doubted that he was even more efficient than the two Deputy Directors of Administration. But one of them was in grade two and the other in grade three. If justice was done and efficiency alone was the yardstick, he would become Director of Administration; but how could he jump straight from grade four to grade one?

Hamza al-Suwayfi was pensioned off at his own request and consequently a flurry of promotions took place throughout the administration from grade one down to grade eight. So Isma’il Fayiq became Director while Othman Bayyumi moved up the scale to grade three and became Deputy Director. Thus an attack of high blood pressure had given a nudge to the wheel of fortune, bringing good luck to some and ill luck to others.

Othman was happy with his promotion for a day or two but his happiness soon wore thin. Hamza al-Suwayfi had been an able official, but now that he had gone, nobody was better qualified to replace him that Othman; and it was really grotesque that a man like Isma’il Fayiq should become Director of Administration.

Othman went to His Excellency the Director General’s office to thank him. He had no doubt that of all the employees he was the one the Director General liked and valued most, relying on him in the official work of the administration as well as in his own private activities. They shook hands and Othman expressed his gratitude with his usual eloquence.

His Excellency said, “You didn’t know the full story. I had on my desk a pile of recommendations from the Minister, the Under Secretary, and many members of Parliament…” The great man stared at him for a while before going on.

“I told them, ‘You can have anything you want, except that one promotion must go to someone whose only recommendation is his ability and character.”

Words of gratitude poured from Othman’s lips; the frustration he felt in his heart he did not mention. The Director General continued: “We both know that Isma’il Fayiq is weak and ignorant.”

“Yes, of course, Your Excellency,” he replied, annoyed at the mention of the man.

“This means that actual responsibility will be yours alone to shoulder even though you are only Second Deputy.”

“I shall always be at your service.”

“What could I have done?” Bahjat Noor went on apologetically. “He is a relative of the Under Secretary, as you know.”