region, religion, or party... The International Red Cross helped greatly in this calamity by sending tents, blankets, medicines, and other things from its branch center in Istanbul.

And we must mention here, added Laure Tabet, that certain villages showed a largeness of spirit and a gallantry of which every Lebanese may be proud. Many of them gave thanks and, with pride and dignity, declined to accept the aid!

And that gallantry and noble character, said Ellen Rihan, made us forget the greed and covetousness of the other villages, and left in our souls beautiful, touching memories...!

What was the biggest problem you met with in this work of yours?

Ah, recalled Laure Tabet, the biggest problem we faced in our work in the villages was the dependence of their people, which

was strange to us. After what happened, not one of them would attempt to repair what he was able to do himself, for fear of the assessment committee and of the government's not helping them afterward. This fear was the cause of their keeping away from work and their failure to rely on themselves.

Is the money the government has collected enough to rebuild all the destruction caused by the earthquake?

Of course not, replied Laure Tabet; what the government has collected is not enough, for the loss is great and the destruction enormous...

And the only solution to the building problem, Sandra Khoury went on, is for the owners of the houses themselves to take part in the building, and to contribute to the reconstruction.

Yes, agreed Ellen Rihan, that is how it must be. If they take a

hand in this work, the costs will be lower and the work quicker!..

And it was the custom of old in the Lebanese villages, followed Najla Saab, that when one of them wished to build himself a dwelling, the whole village would gather and join in the building. The house would rise and be finished amid the bustle and merriment of all. Why should we not follow this old custom in our present case?

Were it not for the loss of life, we would say the earthquake was for Lebanon's good. The houses that fell are not to be mourned. They were old, taking no account of the requirements of comfortable, healthful building... And in their place will rise houses in the modern style! God willing!!

Yes, this is an unlooked-for opportunity to beautify the villages of Lebanon, agreed Laure Tabet. What matters now in the building question is that, besides the sanitary and practical considerations, the aesthetic side be observed.. And the competent committees must not lose sight of the fact that keeping the