ABSTRACT
In Tabenken, which was not his native village and was even in a different clan area, there would be none of the obligations, conflicts, rivalries and jealousies which characterise village life, and Lawrence would be reasonably neutral. Lawrence was a born socialiser. From the day of the author's arrival in Tabenken he set to work with a serious intensity. Within no time he seemed to know not only everyone in the village but also all the local gossip and intrigues. About halfway through the project news came that his sister was seriously ill and Lawrence made several trips, apparently to visit her. By the time Lawrence showed up in Tabenken with his broken leg his popularity had declined even further and he had fallen out with a number of our former friends.
