about jinns and ghosts。”
“Why shouldn’t she?” said Shevket。 “Mother; after we fall asleep do you
leave the bed and go to be with Grandfather?”
“Your grandfather; Allah protect him; is gravely ill;” I said。 “Of course I go to
his bedside at night to look after him。 Then; I return to our bed; don’t I?”
“Have Hayriye look after Grandfather;” said Shevket。 “Doesn’t Hayriye look
after my grandfather at night anyway?”
“Are you finished?” Hayriye asked of Orhan。 As she wiped Orhan’s behind
with a wet rag; his face was overe with a sweet lethargy。 She glanced into
the pot and wrinkled up her face; not due to the smell; but as if what she saw
wasn’t sufficient。
“Hayriye;” I said。 “Empty the chamber pot and bring it back。 I don’t want
Shevket to leave the room in the middle of the night。”
“Why shouldn’t I leave the room?” asked Shevket。 “Why shouldn’t Hayriye
tell us a story about jinns and fairies?”
227
“Because there are jinns in the house; you idiot;” Orhan said; not so much
out of fear; but with the dumb optimism I always noticed in his expression
after he’d relieved himself。
“Mother; are there jinns here?”
“If you leave the room; if you attempt to see your grandfather; the jinn will
catch you。”
“Where will Black lay out his bed?” said Shevket。 “Where will he sleep
tonight?”
“I’m not sure;” I said。 “Hayriye will be preparing his bed。”
“Mother; you’re still going to sleep with us; aren’t you?” said Shevket。
“How many times do I have to tell you? I’ll sleep together with you two as
before。”
“Always?”
Hayriye left carrying the chamber pot。 From the cabi where I’d hidden
them; I removed the remaining nine illustrations left behind by the
unspeakable murderer and sat on the bed。 By the light of a candle; I stared at
them for a long time trying to fathom their secret。 These illustrations were