she confronts son Hussain

alley experiments. It would have become the staple diet were it not so expensive to prepare.

Alwan cares nothing about the denizens of the alley except Hamida, whom he works into his schedule every afternoon following ritual washing and prayers. He sits facing the road, filled with pleasure to watch her walk by. Occasionally he walks outside to glance surreptitiously at her window, but has a reputation to maintain. Still, Alwan’s desire for this poor but shapely girl is overwhelming—greater than all the merchandise in India. He has known her since her childhood, when she buys items her mother needs. He has watched her breasts and bottom ripen and admits to himself he wants her. The only problem is that she is a virgin.

Alwan’s highborn wife, née Alifat, cannot be criticized in any way, but she is past her prime. He is fond of her, but she cannot keep up with him or bear his attentions. He wants “new blood” and cannot see why he should deprive himself of something God makes lawful. He is horrified by the gossip that would come from marrying Hamida, worries how she and her mother would integrate into the family, and calculates new expenses. This passion enters the bewildering whirl of worries Alwan bears and is the most compelling and inspiring one. He watches Hamida daily.

Mrs. Kirsha—Umm Hussain—is worried that her husband has changed where he enjoys his nightly pleasures, reasoning this means the return of the same “filthy disease”. She knows his lies and will not be mollified. Everyone knows what he is doing. She resolves to take decisive action and accept the consequences. Approaching fifty, Umm Hussain is strong, courageous, and sharp tempered. She has born six daughters and one son. The girls are unhappily married but resist divorce. The youngest has disgraced the family by disappearing with a man from Boulaq and going to prison with him. Umm Hussain learns that her husband is serving this new boy personally and observes it.

Furious, she confronts son Hussain in the morning and tells him his father is preparing a new scandal. Hussain fills with anger and scorn. This is one of the reasons for him serving the British Army. He dislikes his family, house, and the alley. Earlier attempts to reform his father have nearly resulted in violence. Hussain does not care about the “sin”, just the scandal, gossip, and jokes—and the fiery scenes at home. Hussain and his father are similarly ill natured and bad-tempered, so fighting is inevitable. Currently they are enjoying a truce. Umm Hussain does not want to stir up new enmity, but is determined to reform her husband.

When the café closes at midnight, she asks Kirsha to come up for a discussion. He comes only as close as the threshold. She tries to stifle her anger. She realizes that God has made him her “husband and master”, and does not hate him for all his mistreatments. In fact, she is proud of his masculinity and position in the community. She would have no complaints, if he lost this one “sin”. Impatient and annoyed, Kirsha holds his position at the threshold and demands what she wants. He is suspicious and demands she stop wasting his time. Dislike for this sarcastic woman always emerges when the “sin” overtakes Kirsha; he wishes she would leave him alone. She has no right