therwhofoundhusbandsforsomanydreamymaidensandkhedoorsofsomanyunhappyhomes.

    “WhatI’veheard,”Isaid,“isthatthebrotherofShekure’sformerhusband,Hasan,visitedyourhouse”—itheartenedhimwhenIsaid“yourhouse”—“andtoldShevketthathisfatherwasonhiswayhomefromwar,thathewouldarrivearoundmidafternoon,andthatifhedidn’tfi’smotherandbrotherintheirrightfulhome,he’dbeveryupset.Shevkettoldthistohismother,whoactedcautiously,butcouldn’tetoadecision.TowardmidafternooleftthehousetobewithhisUncleHasanandhisgrandfather.”

    “Wheredidyoulearhings?”

    “Hasn’tShekuretoldyouaboutHasan’sschemesoverthelasttwetherbacktohishouse?TherewasatimewhenHasaletterstoShekurethroughme.”

    “Didsheeverrespondtothem?”

    “IknowallthevarietiesofwomeninIstanbul,”Isaidproudly,“there’snoonewho’sasboundtoherhouse,herhusbandandherhonorasShekureis.”

    “ButIamherhusbandnow.”

    Hisvoiceborethattypicallymaleuaintythatalwaysdepressedme.Amazingly,towhicheversideShekurefled,theothersidewenttopieces.

    “HasanwroteanoteandgaveittometodelivertoShekure.ItdescribedhowShevkethadehometoawaitthereturnofhisfather,howShekurehadbeenmarriedinaimateceremony,howShevketwasveryunhappyonatofthefalsehusbandposedtobehisherandhowhewasnevergoingback.”

    “HowdidShekurerespond?”

    “ShewaitedforyouallthroughthenightwithpoorOrhan.”

    “WhataboutHayriye?”

    “Hayriye’sbeenwaitingforyearsfortheopportunitytodrownyourbeautifulwifeinaspoonfulofwater.ThiswaswhyshebegansleepingwithyourEnishte,mayherestinpeace.Wh