Mustafa Bustani turned to his son: “If all of this truly came about through your mother’s and my brother’s last requests—and not from you—surely you have done more than your share, and you deserve our thanks. Actually, Abd en Nom told us the name of the architect who orchestrated today’s joint-ventures. The compassion which your mother planted in your young soul has born fruit and brought blessings upon us. Schamah, the forgiveness, will be living with us and—“
“In our house?” Thar quickly asked.
“Yes.”
“With her mother?”
“Yes.”
“For how long?’
“I hope it will be forever.”
Upon hearing that, Thar shouted and leaped higher in the air than he ever had before: “Right away, I must hurry to tell them that they’e coming!”
“Whom?”
“Why, all of our household: Habakek, Bem, his wife, the coffee grinder, and our cook.”