關燈 巨大 直達底部
親,雙擊螢幕即可自動滾動
第36部分

colored robe my grandmother had embroidered with flowers; and tried it on;

but it didn’t please me。 As I was trying it on under the purple blouse; I felt a

chill; I shuddered; and the candle flame trembled with me。 Over it all; of

course; I was going to wear my fox fur–lined street robe; but at the last minute

I changed my mind; and silently crossing the hall; I removed the very long and

loose azure…colored woolen robe that my mother had given me and put it on。

Just then I heard a noise at the door and fell into a panic: Black was leaving! I

quickly removed my mother’s old robe and put on the fur…lined red one: It

was tight around the bustline; but I liked it。 I then donned the softest and

whitest veil; lowering it over my face。

Black Effendi hadn’t left yet; of course; I’d let my apprehension deceive me。

If I go out now; I can tell my father that I went to buy fish with the children。 I

padded down the stairs like a cat。

I closed the door—click—like a ghost。 I quietly passed through the

courtyard and when I was out on the street; momentarily turned and looked

back at the house。 From behind my veil it seemed as if it wasn’t our house at

all。

There was no one in the street; not even any cats。 Flakes of snow danced in

the air。 With a shudder; I entered the abandoned garden where sunlight never

fell。 It smelled of rotten leaves; dampness and death; yet; when I entered the

house of the Hanged Jew; I felt as though I were in my own home。 They say

that jinns meet here at night; light the stove and make merry。 I was startled to

hear my footsteps in the empty house。 I waited