returned with a glass of water, which she gave to the boy. He drank.
âSip it,â admonished his mother affectionately.
Mactar began to breathe more easily as his lungs filled with air. He gave a sigh of relief and wiped the unintended tears from his eyes.
âWhat were you going to say?â asked Oumi NâDoye in.a motherly voice.
âFather should buy us a car. They have one at Adja Awa Astouâs and fatherâs third has one. While we...â
âHis lordship has seen Rama with her Fiat, so he thinks that as the eldest he is entitled to a car as well,â said Mariem scornfully, picking up a magazine.
âWell, Iâm a man.â
âAnd so what? Women also drive. Itâs mother who should have a car for her shopping.â
âThank you, dear, for thinking of me. Youâre right, Mactar. I hadnât thought of it. All my money goes in taxis.â
Oumi NâDoye fell silent. The idea was a new one to her. She said to herself: âThere is a car at Adja Awa Astouâs and also at the thirdâs. And what do I have? Nothing!â
âI was the first to mention the car,â broke in Mactar.
âThatâs true, dear. I am going to talk to your father about it. Then you too will be able to go to school in your own car, instead of with all the others. You can run errands for me. Go round to Adja Awa Astou. If your father is there tell him I must see him. It is very urgent.â
âYou promise to lend me the car?â
âI promise.â
Satisfied, Mactar ran out.
He did not find their father either. Oumi NâDoye was beginning to worry. El Hadji Abdou Kader Beye had assured her he would be coming. Usually he kept his promises. He was beginning to neglect her. After the meal, which she took alone with the children, she went to her bedroom with her magazines, still hoping. She got herself ready, making herself attractive. She was counting on keeping the man for a good part of the night. She lay on the bed looking very desirable and listened for his arrival. She turned off the main light, leaving a night-light, which seemed more appropriate. Nothing. She returned to her reading. Now and again she thought she heard the sound of a car-engine. It grew as the car approached then, to her intense disappointment, died away again. According to her alarm-clock it was nearly 1.00 a.m. She could not sleep. She felt threatened.
Late in the night El Hadji Abdou Kader Beye returned to his thirdâs house. All was quiet and peaceful in the villa. A shaft of light shone from under the door. El Hadji knocked.
âWho is it?â
âItâs me, El Hadji,â he replied, recognizing the voice of Yay Bineta, the Badyen.
She let him in.
âHave you passed the day in peace?â he asked.
âIn peace only,â said the Badyen returning his greeting, and she added, âNâGone canât be asleep.â
El Hadji realized she was waiting for him.
âHave you eaten?â
âYes.â
âIf you are still hungry, your share is there. Have you done something about your problem?â
âYes, I have seen a marabout.â
âAlxam ndu lilay.â
El Hadji went into the wedding chamber. Nothing had been changed. The bed was in its place, the tailorâs dummy dressed. As on the night before, NâGone was in her nightdress, ready. The night-light dimly lit the sculptural form of her slender body. The strong desire he felt for her faded away. As he had done the previous night, he tried desperately to excite himself mentally. Not a nerve in his body responded. He felt ill. He perspired. He, the stallion who usually flung himself on women, was like pulp. Regret and anger filled him. His body was taken over by bitterness. He felt the full extent of the seriousness of his predicament as a wounded male and was bewildered by it. He had dreamed of this moment as he lay in the arms of his other two wives, the moment when
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