Unlike other parts of Africa life in Somaliland is very hard for the poor and indigent, but is not, of course, comparable with life in Europe. Here, on the coast, no one is ever cold. The scantiest rags suffice for clothing, and the sand makes a comfortable bed. Poor though many of the people are they will not see a man die of starvation unless by helping him they are going to suffer themselves. It is necessary to remember that no ultra-humane, or excessively sensitive, race could hope to survive in this country. But there are always to be found people who seem to be perfectly incapable of taking care of themselves, just as there are people who are incapable of doing anything else. The other day a poor tired woman, dressed in rags, and carrying a child on her back, complained that she had tramped the interior in a futile attempt to beg assistance for her child, and blind husband who was present in court. This old rascal then took up the tale of woe. He had a brother in the town, he said, who was perfectly well able to support him, and he hoped the D.C. would put the matter to the brother without delay. "What about the woman," I asked. "I hear you have divorced her." "Yes, I have divorced her, but she is looking after me as I am blind." "And is this your child?" I asked. "Yes," replied the old man who was not really blind. "Well, we shall send for your brother, and meanwhile, as the woman is carrying this child and is tired out, you can have a rupee to buy food." The couple then left the court. The following day the woman reappeared to complain she was starving and tired out. "I've carried this child for hundreds of miles. I am its mother, but I'm so tired I can't carry it any more--never again." "But you had a rupee yesterday to buy food." "Did you expect me to get anything out of that?" she said. "I am used to getting nothing. The man took the rupee and spent it on himself." We sent at once for the man. Sure enough he had given the woman nothing at all. She had been divorced, he said, and was entitled to nothing from him. "So--very well--if that is your explanation you can look after yourself in future. Your brother who can afford to do so will pay the woman a few rupees each month for the maintenance of your child. As for you, make your own arrangements." And so it was.