I don’t reply so my father does.
“Of course. Jamal is looking forward to meeting your daughter. Right, son?”
I nod silently. My behavior is really discourteous.
The papers are prepared quickly and we all sign. This is the actual marriage. Mansur’s face lights up and he rises. Perhaps he thinks I’m generally uncommunicative. We follow his lead, but only my father walks with him to the courtyard.
My brother says nothing but my father chastises me the moment he returns.
“What’s wrong with you? You brought ill manners from the USA and Europe. You’re as rude as those people!”
“I think I was courteous enough.”
“I don’t mean the dowry!”
Of course not. I know. I walk to the hall and put my slippers on. My father follows me but my brother doesn’t.
“Everything will be all right, son,” He gr
