A Persian Requiem by Simin Daneshvar Page B

temper rising. “And what about an exit permit? No wonder they say women are bird-brained! And all of this with a war going on … You think it’s going to be easy to leave?” Turning to Zari, he said: “Tomorrow morning they’re sending for Sahar.”
    “When you’ve given in once, they expect you to give in every time,” Zari said, remembering the earrings. “It’s my fault, I’ve been too weak. But this time I’ll stand up to them.” Suddenly she felt something awaken in her. “I’ll go to the Governor myself,” she declared. “I’ll tell him there’s a limit to everything. Is his daughter the only one who’s allowed to hanker after a horse? Can’t he bear tosee anyone else in this town with something precious? Mine, mine, mine, everything always mine!’”
    Abol-Ghassem Khan couldn’t believe his ears.
    “Sister!” he exploded. “I would never have thought it of you! Now you’re sounding like Yusef!”
    “If only more people were like Yusef, things would be very different,” Zari said. “Our men must learn to stand up for themselves . And if they’re away, their wives should do it in their place. If more of our people had the courage to stand up for their rights, maybe one day we could achieve something.”
    Abol-Ghassem Khan put his head between his hands.
    “I swear to God, you’ve all gone mad!” he moaned. “That one says she’s going to up and leave … this one says she going to stand up to them. See what kind of a corner they’ve worked me into! And all for a miserable horse …”
    At that moment Khosrow came out of the stables with Sahar. Zari watched as he let the colt loose in the garden, then walked on towards the verandah. His eyes travelled from his uncle to his mother; then from his mother to his aunt.
    “What’s happened?” he asked, seeing their sullen expressions.
    Abol-Ghassem Khan laughed. “I’m going hunting, and I’m taking you with me. Don’t listen to what women say. They’re all cowards.”
    “How did your exam go?” his aunt asked.
    “It went very well, auntie. I think I’ll get top marks,” Khosrow replied. Turning to his uncle, he asked, “Can I take Sahar?”
    “No, son, we’re going a long way. Captain Singer is coming too. I want to show them what fine young men you and Hormoz have become. You can ride all kinds of horses, you can shoot well …”
    “It’s not possible,” Zari interrupted. “Khosrow’s got exams.”
    “But mother,” Khosrow replied in astonishment, “you know very well my exams finished today. Please let me go.” Turning to his uncle again, he said: “If only I could bring Sahar along …”
    “Sister, let him come and see something of life, become a man, outgrow his fears. He’ll be in good hands, I promise you.”
    Ameh, who had been deep in thought till now, interrupted him:
    “The man you want to make out of him is a far cry from what Yusef has in mind. Leave the child alone. All this lying and pretence—”
    “Auntie, mother, please let me go! I’m old enough now,”Khosrow begged.
    “Go on, son, get ready for the trip. I’ll let you use my own Brno—that is, if it’s not too heavy for you,” Abol-Ghassem Khan said cheerfully.
    “I have my own gun,” Khosrow answered as he hurried off.
    “Do you imagine it’s possible to stand up to the Governor?” Abol-Ghassem asked gently. “Yusef is risking his life with the kinds of things he’s been doing and saying lately. At least let me cover up for him. I’ve heard that Malek Rostam has been listening to my brother’s high-flown nonsense and he went and pulled a gun on his own uncle. Now he’s taken refuge with Yusef. They’re even saying that Yusef has handed out provisions to thirty tribal families . Malek Rostam, who’s even more out of his mind than my brother, and that demented Majid, have joined forces with him to build houses for these families, filling their heads with all sorts of dangerous ideas.” Abol-Ghassem Khan paused.
    “For