infer from this that she loved Hasan。 But did Shekure realize that she was

thinking　more　and　more　about　Hasan　because　she　had　married　Black？

The　door　opened　and　Hayriye　entered　carrying　freshly　baked　bread　whose

aroma was irresistible。 When she caught sight of me； I could tell from her

expression of displeasure that after the death of Enishte Effendi； the poor

thing—she　couldn’t　be　sold；　couldn’t　be　dismissed—had　bee　a　legacy　of

misery　for　Shekure。　The　scent　of　fresh　bread　filled　the　room；　and　I　understood

the　truth　of　the　matter　as　Shekure　faced　the　children：　Whether　it　be　their　real

father；　Hasan　or　Black；　her　problem　wasn’t　finding　a　husband　she　could　love；

her　challenge　was　to　find　a　father　who　would　love　these　boys；　both　of　whom

were wide…eyed with fear。 Shekure was ready； with the best of intentions； to

love　any　good　husband。

“You’re seeking what you want with your heart；” I said unthinkingly；

“whereas　you　need　to　be　making　decisions　with　your　mind。”

“I’m　prepared　to　go　back　to　Black　immediately　with　the　children；”　she　said；

“but I have certain conditions！” She fell quiet。 “He must treat Shevket and

Orhan　y　reasons　for　ing　here。　Above　all；　he

must abide by our original conditions of marriage—he’ll know what I’m

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talking about。 He left me all alone to fend for myself last night against

murderers；　thieves　and　Hasan。”

“He　hasn’t　yet　found　your　father’s　murderer；　but　he　told　me　to　tell　you　he

has。”

“Should　I　go　to　him？”

Before　I　could　answer；　the　former　father…in…law；　who’d　long　since　finished

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