fertility of love
Slim, beautiful Hamida, a girl in her twenties, comes in combing her long black hair, and asks about the visitor. Fiery-tempered Hamida is adopted as an orphaned infant and suckles along with the baby Hussain Kirsha, thus becoming somehow related. Hamida’s temper flairs easily and she and her adoptive mother often tangle. Umm Hamida’s helping Afify renews their standard argument about Hamida marrying. The girl is in no hurry and is picky. Only Hussain is worth anything and could be hers if they each always
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sucked a separate breast. Umm Hamida punches her for such blasphemy and declares her ungrateful. Hamida says without nice clothes life is meaningless; she envies the factory girls and Jewish women. Having plaited her hair, looked at herself in a mirror, and lamented her fate, Hamida studies the street from a shuttered window.
In the morning, cold, dreary Midaq Alley stirs early. Kamil and Abbas breakfast together, Abbas devouring his and Kamil savoring every bite. Kamil is portly but no glutton. He is fond of sweets and has a wide reputation for his artistry in creating them. His means are modest and he might, indeed, not have the funds for a proper burial. He resumes asking for the shroud, to sell it and use the money. As Husniya the baker beats her husband in the street, Hussain Kirsha approaches, showing off his clothes and watch.
Hussain Kirsha sits in Abbas’s chair for a trim. They grew up together in Midaq Alley and remain close until work separates them. Abbas is three years older. Their characters are dissimilar: Abbas is gentle, good-natured, tolerant, laid back, conscientiously pious when not lazy, and satisfied with his life. Kirsha is clever, energetic, intelligent, brave, and aggressive. He works in his father’s café until they quarrel, then works in a bicycle shop, and becomes a day laborer for the British Army when the war breaks out. His earnings allow him to live life “large”. Kirsha prattles about how the British admire him and are letting him earn extra from the black market. The profitable war will last another twenty years. Kirsha is en route to the zoo to let his girlfriend get ideas from watching monkeys make love in public.
When Kirsha asks about Hamida, Abbas’s heart jumps but he says nothing. Kirsha tires of his bashful, boring friend and repeats his usual advice: shake off his shop, the filthy alley, and Kamil, and work for the British Army at Tell el-Kebir. The war is a blessing from God, rescuing Egypt from poverty and misery. As Kirsha continues berating his life, Abbas, who dislikes change and travel, thinks about Hamida. Kirsha reveals that Hamida promenades every day on Moursky Street. Abbas finishes the haircut, outraged to hear Kirsha talk about Hamida as “ambitious”. Still, Abbas realizes his life is drudgery and unprofitable and wonders why he should not pursue an ambitious girl—and acquire ambitions of his own. Her love along could stir him to life and he praises God for entrusting the world’s development to the “fertility of love”. The alley is unfair. He tells Kirsha he must talk with him about something important.
That afternoon, Hamida sets out on her walk, aware that Alwan and Abbas are watching her. Her cloak is arranged to show off her hips, breasts, and ankles. When she reaches Mousky Street, she smiles and surveys the activity on the busy street. Hamida is self- assured and naturally strong, with a desire to fight and conquer. She easily attracts men and dominates her mother. The women of the alley hate and criticize her. She peers into shop windows at expensive clothing she is determined one day to own. Girls poorer than she have married well. Factory girls approach and she joins in their chatter while studying them. Wartime work has improved their health and liberated their minds. Hamida is pleased that she catches the eyes of passersby more than the rest.
Hamida sees Abbas tailing them. He is poor but presentable-looking and would be acceptable as a husband if she were not determined to marry a rich contractor. She
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