Umm Hussain waits patiently f
13
inviting the devil in. Kirsha curses this man’s not minding his own business and talking in riddles, but pretends still not to understand.
When Hussainy refers explicitly to “that dissolute youth”, Kirsha grows angry and defensive. Hussainy assures him he does not wish to offend or shame him, but everyone is talking about this. Truly angry, Kirsha lets fly his resentment about people who cannot mind their own business. People have gossiped since the creation, not because they disapprove but because they like to belittle others. In the lack of substance, they invent things. People are envious. Hussainy is horrified and amazed at this “dreadful opinion”.
Kirsha laughs spitefully, but realizes he has admitted the accusation, so he claims to be alleviating a poor boy’s poverty. Hussainy demands Kirsha come clean; all are sinners in need of God’s care. Kirsha maintains his innocence. Hussainy declares the boy is immoral and has a bad reputation; it is a bad idea to deceive him rather than take his advice. Kirsha grows silent, bottling up his anger, and looking for an opportunity to leave. Hussainy continues: he does not despair of reforming Kirsha, but he must repent and abandon this “filth created by Satan”. Kirsha is now a sinner and risks losing every penny if he persists.
Kirsha knows better than to challenge Hussainy further and declares piously, “It is God’s will”. Hussainy knows Kirsha is obedient to Satan’s will and begs him to leave the boy or let him handle him peacefully. Kirsha angrily refuses. Hussainy gives Kirsha one last chance to repent, but Kirsha maintains all men do dirty things and this is his. He will find his own path. Hussainy declares, “A man can do anything if he wants to” and says goodbye. Kirsha leaves, cursing humanity, Midaq Alley, and Hussainy.
Umm Hussain waits patiently for two days, watching for the boy’s arrival to take Kirsha away toward Ghouriya. She visits Hussainy again, but he advises her to leave Kirsha as he is until God acts. Umm Hussain plots revenge. When the boy arrives that night, she descends on him like a madwoman, bypasses her husband at the till, slaps the teacup from the boy’s hand, and calls him a “son of a whore”. As people stare, she pushes Kirsha back into his chair and dares him to move. She demands why this “woman in the clothes of a man” is coming here, and warns Kirsha not to defend him—or she will smash his bones. Kirsha is too angry to speak. His wife pursues the boy, who hides behind Darwish, demanding why he would ruin her home. When he dares call Umm Hussain a “fellow wife”, she punches and slaps the boy, drawing blood and nearly strangling him with his necktie.
Patrons thoroughly enjoy the spectacle. Husniya, Jaada, and Zaita come in and windows are thrown open to hear. The boy struggles, but Umm Hussain is too strong. Kirsha grabs her, demanding she let loose, charging she has caused scandal enough. She releases the boy but grabs her husband’s collar, shrilly calling all to witness his lecherous behavior. The boy flees as the spouses struggle. Hussainy steps between them. They exchange insults and Umm Hus
