SPEAR AND SHIELD 161 



I have compared the trenchant phrase to the word 

 manana, yet the Spanish slogan pales into insignificance 

 when pitted against the African term in practical apph- 

 cation. At least the Spanish plea for delay names a 

 defmite tomorrow, while the spirit of the African plea 

 is for "tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow," even 

 until "the last syllable of recorded time." It might 

 well have served as the sleep-laden refrain of the lotos- 

 eaters. I have also called the phrase the native shib- 

 boleth, yet the average white man in Africa in time 

 falls mider its spell, until in his last state he out- 

 Africans the Africans in his surrender to its spirit. 



It is in Nairobi that bardo kidogo reigns supreme. 

 Here some of the white men have succumbed to Africa's 

 slogan to such a degree that, by contrast, the native 

 often seems a model of industry and promptness. In 

 Nairobi one observes perhaps better exempHfied than 

 in any other spot on the continent, with the exception 

 of West Africa, this disintegration of character wrought 

 upon some classes of white men. Of the four distinct 

 groups into which the white population in and around 

 the city may be assigned, I should say that two at 

 least have fallen signal victims to bardo kidogo. Of 

 course, their powers of resistance were probably weak 

 in the first instance, but it was my observation that 

 they had surrendered abjectly. Of the four groups, 

 there are the gentlemen farmers, "tuxedo tillers" of 

 the soil, who drive quite regularly into Nairobi in high- 

 powered cars, frequenting the bars and clubs, swizzhng 

 whiskies and sodas ad lib and ad infinitum, dancing and 

 gossiping and frivohng; in short, doing everything and 

 anytliing but working. All their farming is done by 

 proxy, nor do they look upon their holdings as any- 



