men。 They’re prepared to fight Hasan。”
“Hasan isn’t here；” said the polite father…in…law。
“How fortunate。 Take a look at this；” I said； giving him Black’s note like a
proud ambassador of the Sultan executing His merciless will。
As the gentlemanly father…in…law read the note； Shekure said； “Esther； e
and let me pour you a bowl of lentil soup to warm you up。”
372
“I don’t like lentil soup；” I said at first。 I didn’t like the way she spoke as if
she were mistress of the house。 But when I understood that she wanted to be
alone with me； I grabbed the spoon and rushed after her。
“Tell Black that it’s all because of Shevket；” she whispered。 “Last night I
waited all night alone with Orhan deathly afraid of the murderer。 Orhan
trembled with fright until morning。 My children had been separated！ What
kind of mother could remain apart from her child？ When Black failed to e
back； they told me that Our Sultan’s torturers had made him talk and that
he’d a hand in my father’s death。”
“Wasn’t Black with you when your father was being killed？”
“Esther；” she said； opening her beautiful black eyes wide； “I beg of you； help
me。”
“Then tell me why you’ve e back here so I might understand and help。”
“Do you think I know why I’ve returned？” she said。 She seemed on the
verge of tears。 “Black was rough with my poor Shevket；” she said。 “And when
Hasan said that the children’s real father had returned； I believed him。”
But I could tell from her eyes that she was lying； and she knew I could tell。
“I was duped by Hasan！” she whispered； and I sensed that she wanted me to