“I hear you are going home to spend a lot of money and reëlect your President,” said Talaat--this being a jocular reference to the fact that I was the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Democratic National Committee. “That’s very foolish; why don’t you stay here and give it to Turkey? We need it more than your people do.” “But we hope you are coming back soon,” he added, in the polite (and insincere) manner of the oriental. “You and we have really grown up together; you came here about the same time that we took office and we don’t know how we could ever get so well acquainted with another man. We have grown fond of you, too. We have had our differences, and pretty lively ones at times, but we have always found you fair, and we respect American policy in Turkey as you have represented it. We don’t like to see you go, even for a few months.” I expressed my pleasure at these words. “It’s very nice to hear you talk that way,” I answered. “Since you flatter me so much, I know that you will be willing to promise me certain things. Since I have you both here together this is my chance to put you on record. Will you treat the people in my charge considerately, just the same as though I were here?” “As to the American missionaries and colleges and schools,” said Talaat--and Enver assented--”we give you an absolute promise. They will not be molested in the slightest degree, but can go on doing their work just the same as before. Your mind can rest easy on that score.” “How about the British and French?” I asked. “Oh, well,” said Talaat, smiling, “we may have to have a little fun with them now and then, but don’t worry. We’ll take good care of them.” And now for the last time I spoke on the subject that had rested so heavily on my mind for many months. I feared that another appeal would be useless, but I decided to make it. “How about the Armenians?” Talaat’s geniality disappeared in an instant. His face hardened and the fire of the beast lighted up his eyes once more. “What’s the use of speaking about them?” he said, waving his hand. “We are through with them. That’s all over.” Such was my farewell with Talaat. “That’s all over” were his last words to me. The next day I had my farewell audience with the Sultan. He was the same gracious, kindly old gentleman whom I had first met two years before. He received me informally, in civilian European clothes, and asked me to sit down with him. We talked for twenty minutes, and discussed among other things the pleasant relations that prevailed between America and Turkey. He thanked me for the interest which I had taken in his country and hoped that I would soon return. Then he took up the question of war and peace.