you　understand。”　He　summed　up　my

unfortunate situation as follows： “You’re aware that there are weighty and

plicated matters we must settle before you can marry again。” After a

protracted silence； he added； “Is it that you want to leave me； my dear

daughter？”

“Last　night　I　dreamed　that　my　husband　had　died；”　I　said。　I　didn’t　cry　the

way　a　woman　who’d　actually　seen　such　a　dream　would　have。

“Like　those　who　know　how　to　read　a　picture；　one　should　know　how　to　read

a　dream。”

“Would　you　consider　it　appropriate　for　me　to　describe　my　dream？”

There　was　a　pause：　We　smiled　at　each　other；　quickly　inferring—as　intelligent

people　do—all　possible　conclusions　from　the　matter　at　hand。

98

“By interpreting your dream； I might be convinced of his death； yet your

father…in…law；　your　brother…in…law　and　the　judge；　who　is　obligated　to　listen　to

them；　will　demand　more　proof。”

“Two　years　have　passed　since　I　returned　here　with　the　children　and　my　in…

laws　haven’t　been　able　to　force　me　back…”

“Because　they　very　well　realize　that　they　have　their　own　misdeeds　to　answer

for；” said my father。 “This doesn’t mean that they’ll be willing to let you

petition　for　a　divorce。”

“If　we　were　followers　of　the　Maliki　or　the　Hanbeli　sects；”　I　said；　“the　judge；

acknowledging that four years have passed； wou