It had been pouring rain for a day and a half The ground was soaked, and the alleys and cul-de-sacs were flooded. Although the rains had finally abated, the gloomy sky had not cleared yet. Qouds overshadowed the earth in a dark canopy that made the air murky enough to presage a pitch-black night.
Ahmad Abd al-Jawad welcomed his friend and invited him to sit down. Muhammad Iffat had scarcely settled himself in a chair by the corner of the desk when he disclosed the reason for this unexpected visit: 'Don't be surprised that I've come in this weather even though we'll meet at our usual party in a few hours. I wanted to talk to you privately'. He laughed as though to apologize for these strange words. Al-Sayyid Ahmad laughed too, but his laughter seemed almost more like a question.
Jamil al-Hamzawi, his head wrapped from chin to crown in a scarf, went to the door, where he called to the waiter at the Qala'un coffeehouse to bring some coffee. Then he returned to his chair, since the rain and cold had freed him from waiting on customers.
Al-Sayyid Ahmad sensed in his heart that there was an important reason for this visit, since it came at a time when only dire necessity could justify it. He was more anxious than usual because of the psychological criseshe had suffered and the ill health he had experienced of late. All the same, he camouflaged his anxiety with a polite laugh and said, 'Just before you arrived I was remembering last night and what al-Far looked like dancing. May God strike him down.'
Smiling, Muhammad Iffat said, 'We're all your pupils! With regard to this, let me tell you what Ali Abd al- Rahim's been saying about you. He claims the headache you've had for the past weeks results from a lack of women in your life during this time.'
'A lack of women? Is there any cause for headaches besides women?'
The waiter appeared carrying a yellow tray with glasses of coffee and of water, placed it on the corner of the desk between the two friends, and then departed.
Muhammad Iffat drank some water and said, 'It's pleasant to drink cold water in winter. What do you think? But why should I ask? You're one of winter's admirers and bathe every morning in cold water, even now in February. So tell me: Did you like the news of the nationalist conference held in the home of Muhammad Mahmud? We've lived to see Sa'd, Adli, and Tharwat all in a united front once more.'
'Our Lord in His wisdom welcomes repentance.'
'I don't trust those dogs.'
'I don't either. But what can be done? King Fuad's made things worse. It's sad the struggle's no longer against the English.'
They began to drink their coffee silently. This indicated, if anything, that the period for making polite conversation had ended. It was time for Muhammad Iffat to speak his mind. He sat up straight and asked al-Sayyid Ahmad earnestly, 'What do you hear from Yasin?'
The anxious concern the question evoked was evident in the man's wide eyes. His heart began pounding at an alarming rate. He answered, 'Good news! He visits from time to time. The most recent one was last Monday. Is there something new? A matter relating to Maryam? Her whereabouts are unknown. I learned recently that Bayumi the drinks vendor bought her share of her mother's house.'
Trying to smile, Muhammad Iffat said, 'The matter doesn't concern Maryam. Who knows? Perhapshe's forgotten her. I won't beat around the bush. It's a new marriage.'
His heart was pounding again in a frightening way. He exclaimed, 'A new marriage! But he's made absolutely no reference to it in his conversations with me.'
Muhammad Iffat shook his head regretfully and said, 'He's been married for a month or more. Ghunaym Hamidu told me just an hour ago. He assumed you knew all about it.'
Al-Sayyid Ahmad's left hand began to fidget with his mustache nervously. Then, as though addressing himself, he said, 'It's gone that far! How can I believe it? How could he have kept it from me?'
'The circumstances dictated secrecy. Listen to me. I wanted to tell you the truth before it came to you as an unpleasant surprise. But don't rail against it more than it deserves. And above all, you mustn't get angry. Anger's not something your health can withstand anymore. Remember how tired you've been and have pity onyouiself.'
Al-Sayyid Ahmad asked desperately, 'Is there a scandal involved? That's what my heart senses. Tell me what you know, Mr. Muhammad.'
Muhammad Iffat nodded his head sadly. Then in a low voice he said, 'Be the brave Ahmad Abd al-Jawad we've always known. … Yasin's married Zanuba the lute player.'
'Zanuba!'
They exchanged glances that showed their full grasp of the significance of this news. Ahmad's discomfort was obvious from his face, and his friend looked apprehensive. The question of the marriage itself no longer seemed so important. Al-Sayyid Ahmad asked breathlessly, 'Do you suppose Zanuba knowshe's my son?'
'I don't doubt it, but I'm almost certain she hasn't revealed your secret to him. Otherwise she would have had more difficulty getting him to fall into her trap. She's succeeded so admirably in this that she deserves our congratulations.'
But Ahmad Abd al-Jawad asked again in the same breathless voice, 'Or do you think he kept it from me because he knew what had happened?'
'Of course not. I don't believe that. If he had known this in advance he would never have married her. No doubt he's a reckless young man, but he's not depraved. If he kept it a secret from you, it's because he couldn't get up the courage to tell you he'd married a woman entertainer. What a burden headstrong sons are to their fathers…. The truth is that it upsets me terribly, but I hope you won't allow yourself to get angry. It's his fault. You're not responsible for what he's done. No one can blame you.'
Ahmad Abd al-Jawad sighed audibly. Then he instructed his friend, 'Tell me what Ghunaym Hamidu said about this.'
Muhammad Iffat waved his hand disdainfully and replied, 'He asked if al-Sayyid Ahmad had agreed. I told him, 'The man knows nothing about it.' He expressed his regrets and said, 'See how big a gap there is between the father and his son. May God come to his aid.''
In a mournful voice Ahmad commented, 'Is this the result of the way I've raised them? I'm bewildered, Mr. Muhammad. The disaster is that we lose effective control of them just when they most require our guidance for their welfare. They're old enough to take responsibility for themselves, but they mishandle their affairs and we're not able to straighten them out. We're men, but our sons aren't. What do you suppose has caused this? The ox! Why did he have to marry a woman within reach of every hand? Let's weep for ourselves. There's no power or might save God's.'
Muhammad Iffat placed his hand sympathetically on his friend's shoulder. 'We've done our duty,' he said. 'Beyond that each person's responsible for himself. It's impossible for anyone to think you're to blame.'
Then al-Hamzawi's sad voice spoke up: 'No fair person would blame you for something like this, al-Sayyid, sir. Although it seems to me there's still hope for reform. Give him some advice, al-Sayyid, sir.'
'He'll stand before you like an obedient child. He'll certainly divorce her tomorrow or the next day. The best good deed is a quick one.'
Al-Sayyid Ahmad asked plaintively, 'What if she's pregnant?'
Al-Hamzawi's anxious voice said, 'May God not decree or allow that.'
Muhammad Iffat seemed to have more to say. He looked at his friend apprehensively and then remarked, 'It's really sad that he sold his store in al-Hamzawi to refurnish his apartment.'
Ahmad stared at him. He frowned in disgust and yelled resentfully, 'As if I didn't exist!.. He didn't even consult me about that.'
Striking his hands together, he continued: 'No doubt they robbed him blind. They came upon an easy prey… a mule without a groom, wearing a gentleman's clothes.'
Muhammad Iffat said compassionately, 'Childish behavior! He forgot his father and his son. But what's the use of getting angry?'
Ahmad Abd al-Jawad shouted, 'It seems to me that regardless of the consequences I've got to deal with him firmly.'
Muhammad Iffat stretched out his arms as though to ward off danger. Then he said imploringly, ' 'When your son grows up, be a brother to him.' All that's required of you is some advice. Leave the rest to God and His decree'. He lowered his eyes thoughtfully and seemed to hesitate for a few moments. Then he said, 'There's something that
