He followed Sadhu, clasped
his feet, and groaned, "No, you won't do that! I am ready to divorce
Maini. Let Allah's will be done."
"Ah," replied Sadhu, "so you can listen to reason after all. Come to
our house to-morrow evening; we will have witnesses ready, and Esaf
will be there with the den mohur."
Ramzan had a sleepless night and was too downcast to work on the
morrow. When evening came, he walked wearily to Simulgachi. There was
quite a small crowd in Sadhu's courtyard. On one side sat Maini and
some other women with faces closely covered; Esaf and the witnesses
were on the other. Between them was a mat, on which lay a bag full
of money. Ramzan was received without salutations, and squatted down
by Sadhu's side.
Moslem husbands can get rid of their wives by repeating the word
talaq (surrender) thrice, in the presence of witnesses. Every one
expected him to utter the formula, which would release Maini from his
power. However, he sat silent, with downcast eyes. After a minute
or two, he rose and, looking steadily at Maini, was just about to
speak, when she sprang forward, laid her hand on his arm, and said:
"Surely you are not going to divorce me, your faithful wife, who loves
you dearly and seeks only to make you happy? What have I done to be
treated thus?"
A murmur was heard in the assembly, but Sadhu raised his hand in
token of silence.
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