Those who tired of thinking of both became mildly interested in Red Sea history.

Chief among these was the bookmaker.

As an historian the bookmaker was original.

He cavalierly waved aside all such confusing things as dates: made Moses and Mahomet contemporaneous, incidentally referred to King Solomon's visits to Cleopatra, and with sad irreverence spoke of the Exodus and the destruction of Pharaoh's horses and chariots as "the big handicap." He did not mean to be irreverent or unhistorical.

He merely wished to enlighten Mrs.Callendar, who said he was very original, and quite clever at history.