Atdtda29: Colonels and fezzes, 832

[Paul Nightingale]

At the outset, Cyprian stands accused of being "another of these
neuraesthetic youths one finds everywhere lately"; by the bottom of the page
he is accused of being a "devout [Christian]". The latter accusation is one
he rejects most eagerly. The possibility of betrayal, Danilo's suggestion
that he has been "shopped ... as a 'Serbian agent'" is succeeded by
slapstick comedy, the attempted exchange of fezzes with Bevis and, again,
exposure as "an infidel". In the previous section Khautsch, juxtaposed to
the belly dancer, was exposed as a "seedy pub bore" (831); here, Cyprian
suspects Khautsch might be responsible for his own troubles (832).

On 831 he wonders if Khautsch has recognised him: perhaps not, but that
might be "part of ... his current game". Hence a shift from personal
interaction (Cyprian's relationship with Khautsch, only revealed as "[his]
Colonel" on 830, of course) to political intrigue. Some ambiguity attaches
to Khautsch's motivation here: is it 'personal' or 'political'? Cf. the way
the novel frequently collapses the fictional distinction between 'local' and
'global'.

Meanwhile, Danilo's role has shifted; ostensibly in need of Cyprian's help,
he is now the one who can offer explication, suggesting Cyprian saves
himself (832). As the section opens, Danilo has arrived at Cyprian's room
"with a warning"; the scene is a two-hander, with no mention of Bevis until
the fezzes are produced.