living child. Children are the support in one's old age. That's why it is enjoined in the Shari'at that if a woman is barren or if her children dp not survive, a man may take a second wife. Fatima: Today's the first time that I'v® heard about non-living children in the Shari'at. You are capable of attributing anything to the Shari'at; God forbid, I am not barren. Al^-together, counting miscarriages, I've had ten children. What fault is it of mine if not one survives? Should I be punished? You pass amulets out to the whole world, when will you put your knowledge to your use? Atiqullah: This is exactly what I'm telling you. Last Thursday I had a dream in which a saintly old man told me that I can never have children with you. "Marry again, so that your desire may be fulfilled," he said. Now, if it weren't God's own will.... Fatima: Some big maulvi you are; The whole world respects you and asks you to write amulets. But, by God, these dreams that you cook up, they burn my heart to ashes. Your lies no longer affect me. A minute ago you were saying that a murid has been after you for months to marry his daughter. Now a saintly man tells you the same in a dream on Thursday. Why don't you tell the truth that the girl had been sick and that you were called to exorcise the jinn. The jinn was expelled, but now you yourself want to take his place. {Getting angry.) If you have to marry, marry; When did you ever ask my permission for anything; But why must you lie? Atiqullah: (pushing aside the huqqa.) You're a strange woman. Calling your husband a liar; That's why your children die. Fatima: Well, now the other one.... (A woman dressed in tight pajamas enters. She is wearing a dirty burqa and carries a small child, who is dirty like his mother. A garland of amulets hangs around his neck, Fatima and Atiqullah both fall silent when they see the woman, Fatima starts sewing and Atiqullah puffs on the huqqa. The woman first salaams Atiqullah and then Fatima. Then she sits down on a stool near them.) Atiqullah: So how's the child? Woman: Fine, sir, thanks. Right now Chote Miyan is not well. His fever is rising and he keeps waking with a start. Please give him another amulet or something. And, Maulvi Sahib, the mistress says it would be a great favor if you could come over and look at the child in the evening. Atiqullah; (Knitting his brows.) 1 don't like to go to anyone's house too frequently, especially for those who have little faith. (Taking a puff on the huqqa.) Her husband thinks himself quite an Englishman. Go and tell your Begum Sahib that if she gives him western medicine, there's nothing I can do. -71-