colored robe my grandmother had embroidered with flowers； and tried it on；
but it didn’t please me。 As I was trying it on under the purple blouse； I felt a
chill； I shuddered； and the candle flame trembled with me。 Over it all； of
course； I was going to wear my fox fur–lined street robe； but at the last minute
I changed my mind； and silently crossing the hall； I removed the very long and
loose azure…colored woolen robe that my mother had given me and put it on。
Just then I heard a noise at the door and fell into a panic： Black was leaving！ I
quickly removed my mother’s old robe and put on the fur…lined red one： It
was tight around the bustline； but I liked it。 I then donned the softest and
whitest veil； lowering it over my face。
Black Effendi hadn’t left yet； of course； I’d let my apprehension deceive me。
If I go out now； I can tell my father that I went to buy fish with the children。 I
padded down the stairs like a cat。
I closed the door—click—like a ghost。 I quietly passed through the
courtyard and when I was out on the street； momentarily turned and looked
back at the house。 From behind my veil it seemed as if it wasn’t our house at
all。
There was no one in the street； not even any cats。 Flakes of snow danced in
the air。 With a shudder； I entered the abandoned garden where sunlight never
fell。 It smelled of rotten leaves； dampness and death； yet； when I entered the
house of the Hanged Jew； I felt as though I were in my own home。 They say
that jinns meet here at night； light the stove and make merry。 I was startled to
hear my footsteps in the empty house。 I waited