Wilfred Thesiger

I'm interested to see what I can do, where I can go.

But harshly, perhaps, having kind of grown up on the literature of the, what do they call it, the heroic age of exploration, Shackleton, Amundsen, Scott, these sorts of things, Thesiger, This is not the case anymore, but when I was younger, I think I kind of dreamt a bit of derring-do and kind of making a mark on the world.

You also think you're invincible at a certain age, don't you? Yeah, the hubristic immortality of youth, definitely.

And I had that roundly knocked out of me in Tibet.

"I am sorry to say he is very bad, sir.

The doctor does not give the slightest hope.

I am glad, Mr. Fenes, that you are in time." "Pray let the nurse know that I have arrived," was my next remark.

The man ushered me into a sitting room.

He is very ill, but your presence will comfort him." "What is the matter?" I asked.

"The patient is in the last stage of double pneumonia.

The doctor, Professor Thesiger, who is attending him and who is an Englishman, gave up all hope a few hours ago.

Will you follow me, sir?" The nurse led the way into a darkened room.