第48部分(第3/7 頁)

but this time the wall

ornamentation　should　be　darker　and　rendered　in　the　Chinese　style；　the　curly

branches being more intricate and dense； and colorful clouds should appear

above the judge’s proxy so the chicanery in the story might be apparent。

Though the Imam Effendi and his brother have actually testified separately

before　the　judge’s　proxy；　in　the　illustration　they　are　shown　together　explaining

how the husband of anguished Shekure hasn’t returned from war for four

years；　how　she　is　in　a　state　of　destitution　without　a　husband　to　look　after　her；

how　her　two　fatherless　children　are　perpetually　in　tears　and　hungry；　how　there

is　no　prospect　for　remarriage　because　she’s　still　considered　married；　and　how

in this state she can’t even receive a loan without permission from her

husband。　They’re　so　convincing　that　even　a　man　as　deaf　as　a　stone　would　grant

her　a　divorce　through　a　cascade　of　tears。　The　heartless　proxy；　however；　having

none　of　it；　asks　about　Shekure’s　legal　guardian。　After　a　moment　of　hesitation；　I

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immediately　interrupt；　declaring　that　her　esteemed　father；　who　has　served　as

herald　and　ambassador　for　Our　Sultan；　is　still　alive。

“Until　he　testifies　in　court；　I’ll　never　grant　her　a　divorce！”　said　the　proxy。

Thereupon； thoroughly flustered； I explained how my Enishte Effendi was

ill；　bed…ridden　and　struggling　for　his　life；　how　his　last　wish　to　God　was　to　see

his　daughter　divorced；　and　how　I　was　his　representative。

“What does she want with a divorce？” asked the proxy。 “Why would a

dying man want to see his daughter divorced f