title: The Last Days of T.E. Lawrence: A Leaf in the Wind
author: Paul Marriot
description: Paul Marriott's The Young Lawrence of Arabia 1888-1910 was published to critical acclaim.
zlib_text: PROLOGUE
  Farewells were too brief. Lawrence’s feelings on the matter came
  from experience.
  No matter how anguished the moment, the actual act of farewell
  was over in but an instant. Like drawing the arrow of a bow, there
  was greater peril in gradually prolonging it out of fear. Hold your
  breath and go. Everyone knows how it will end.
  That said, this was not so clear that Lawrence could make himself
  understand it. Besides, that was likely the logic of a merchant living a
  traveler’s life—it was always someone bidding you farewell.
  Lawrence thought of such things as he slipped past the town wall
  inspectors, giving them a regretful wave before bidding farewell to Col
  and the others as they headed down the road. It occurred to him that
  it was quite a rarity for him to be seeing others off.
  Or perhaps it was the expression worn by Holo right beside him as
  she waved her small hand toward Col, having seen so much travel
  herself. Even though there was a faint smile on her face, she seemed
  someh