第47部分(第7/7 頁)

ponsibilities　and　avoided　going　to　court　with　the　excuse　that

”it’s　only　voluntary；“　and　as　a　result　the　pressing　concerns　of　those　I’m　trying

to　help　are　being　pletely　disregarded。”

“Well；”　said　the　Imam　Effendi；　“why　don’t　you　loosen　your　purse…strings　a

little　more？”

I took out my pouch and showed him the Veian gold pieces huddled

within： The broad space of the mosque courtyard； the face of the preacher；

everything was suddenly illuminated by the glimmer of gold。 He asked me

what　my　dilemma　was　all　about。

I　explained　who　I　was。　“Enishte　Effendi　is　ill；”　I　confided。　“Before　he　dies；　he

wants　his　daughter’s　widowhood　certified　and　an　alimony　to　be　instituted。”

I　didn’t　even　have　to　mention　the　proxy　of　the　üsküdar　judge。　The　Imam

Effendi　understood　at　once　and　said　the　entire　neighborhood　had　long　been

troubled　over　the　fate　of　hapless　Shekure；　adding　that　the　situation　had　already

persisted too long。 Instead of searching for a second witness required for a

legal　separation　at　the　door　of　the　üsküdar　judge；　the　I