They decided that he had grown up. He was now a man with shoulders wide: than thos: of _is father. It would be a disgrace for him to remain without employment. They decided that he should discontinue his education at which he was a failure, and that he should follow the same path that all the boys in the neighbourhood had taken. He must start to build a life of his own and start to repay the debt he owed his parents. He himself felt that he had grown up and could see that his shoulders were wider than his father's. It irked him being without work and his father's careful ways with money annoyed him. He proclaimed a 'divorce' against his studies three times and proceeded to look for a job. Eventually he found a modest clerical post in a firm and was delighted to find a few 'dinars' in his pocket. He looked forward to repaying his debt to his parents.

            His mother approached him one day and asked him to choose a wife from amongst the girls in the neighbourhood. He started to daydream as he stood upright in the middle of the lounge. He began to imagine his future lovely wife who would be shy of her shadow as it followed her on a sunny day, yet would not be coy enough that she would be unable to stand in his presence and converse with him, wearing a short modern dress. A wife with black eyes in whose depths his own eyes could swim effortlessly; but she would lower her glance modestly upon meeting the gaze of a stranger. A wife who possessed a fine lineage, high morals and a generous heart.

            He moaned without uttering a word. His mother stood there unable to read his thoughts, feeling embarrassed as she waited for one word from him. His father, who was leaning on a cushion on a rush mat in the inner courtyard, also awaited that word,'

            Eventually he said:
            'Choose a wife? Whoever God chooses and you approve of would be fine with me .,.'

            His mother smiled and insisted that he specify one particular girl, some girl whom he had admired maybe, and perhaps he had desired her to be his wife, but shyness had prevented him from declaring her

            Identity. He remained silent as his mother stood there unable to understand him, and his father in the courtyard waiting.

            He could imagine that future wife standing there smiling shyly and he returned her smile with an even broader one. His mother returned it with a fond mother's smile as she heard him whisper a name. The smile died on her lips. The girl's image disappeared from his mind and he felt his heart beating violently, anticipating a disaster.

            His mother said:
            'You know very well that she is from a rich family. You also know that she has gained her final certificate this year, which means, my son, that her dowry would not be less than 100 "dinars." Add to this other incidentals, the sum would rise to 2,000 "dinars" '" that's if her family consented... '

            He gulped, and was painfully aware of his situation, but he wanted to save his mother further hurt, so he smiled:

            'They're all women... no difference between this one and that one ... I was only teasing you when I chose the one I named. Didn't I tell you that whoever God chooses and you approve of would be fine with me?!'

            His mother remained silent, to allow her son an opportunity for choice. In order that he should not run away with himself, she decided to talk to him in more detail and explain the situation:

            'Now take the daughter of your 'Sayed' Mahmoud, Simha. By God, if you could only see her, you'd think the was a Christian ¬green eyes - long blonde hair - tall and in the bloom of youth! She has not been seen in the streets for ten years, ever since she was 7. It's true that her father has to work presently and that her family are not rich, also she is illiterate like me, but tell me, haven't I made a fine man out of you, as God willed? This one's dowry, my son, would not exceed 100 "dinars" ... and I think she would suit you. . .

            As for the daughter of 'Haj' Ali ... she is not illiterate, my son. She has attended school till the third elementary year. She is a pleasant, polite girl - apprehensive of her own shadow. She wears European clothes as if she was a European herself, nothing wrong with her, son, a well brought-up girl. Also your 'Sayed Haj' Ali is a good man. This one... her dowry would not be more that 150 "dinars" ... she too could be your destiny... haven't you seen her?

            He felt that he should participate in the conversation, so he asked: 'What about Zahra?'
            His mother appeared as if she had been stung by that name and hastily replied:

             'God forbid, son! God forbid ...Zahra has no modesty... she vainly saunters all day long wearing a short dress, swinging her handbag, in Thalam Market and in Omar Mukhtar Street, jostling with the men as if she was one herself, without embarrassment... No, by God, my son .. haven't you heard all the stories about her?'

            He smiled... the old woman kept quiet for a moment then added:
            'By God! That Zahra! ... if her hand were joined to mine, I would cut my hand off! As for her parents, in spite of their poverty, they behave above their station. Believe me, my son, despite all that is said about Zahra, they think she would get the same dowry as arespectable college girl, forgetting that this useless girl failed her

            primary certificate twice. . . '
            His father's impatient voice reached them from the courtyard, calling for his mother
            'Listen ... come here ...'
            The old woman replied instantly:
            'Patience. .. Patience...'

            She started again listing the other offers, and was saved by a tempting offer which she preferred above the rest

            'Your 'Sayed' Suleiman's daughter ... Zainab ... you must have seen her from time to time... what's your opinion of her?! Don't

            you think she's pretty, well-behaved and well-brought-up? By God,

            my son, she has plenty of suitors but they're all turned down because her father is looking for a decent man and not for a fortune.

            By God, my son, if we approached them they would not do us short ... any sensible man would wish you for his daughter.'
            'How much is this one?'
            She didn't understand.
            'Yes?'

            He replied:
            'Her dowry... how much is her dowry?'
            The old woman started at the ceiling of the room then returned her gaze to her son:
            'Zainab has attained the primary certificate... her dowry... let's say 200 "dinars," my son, maybe more but we shan't pay more than this because we cannot.. . '

            His father called his mother again. She excused herself, promising to return. He remained alone in the lounge. His mind's eye roamed over many girls, he settled on one of them who pleased him and he kept her image there until his mother returned. He whispered:

            'Nouriyah ... Nouriyah, the daughter of my 'Sayed' Outhman .. what's your opinion of her?'

            His mother groaned and was silent for a while. He asked her again about her opinion and she replied:
            'This one, son, has gained her preparatory certificate. Her father hopes that she will become a teacher. Her dowry would not be less than 500 "dinars" plus overheads. We, my son, are poor. You are more aware and better informed of our situation than anyone else; but we're looking for a girl who would please you in spite of our budget. We are in a quandary about you and we ...'

            She suddenly stopped, as if she regretted laying her cards on the table. Silence reigned totally over the room, several minutes passed             slowly, until she decided that a choice must be made:
            'Haven't you decided anything?'

            He didn't answer, but kept staring at the floor with distracted eyes. She repeated her question but he didn't answer. She threw him the last tempting offer:
            'The daughter of the new neighbours - tall and well-built with nice eyes, as full of youth as God wishes. She has been transferred to the second preparatory year but I hear that her uncle has forbidden her from finishing her education... what's your opinion if we went             ahead and asked for her hand?!

            He lifted his head up angrily:
            'And how much does this one cost?!' His mother asked:
            'You mean her dowry? ... I can persuade her father that we pay them 250 "dinars" provided that they go easy on us with the rest of the conditions. You know how much the other overheads cost...  Oh, my son... if ...'

            He interrupted her angrily:
            'Listen to me ... I shan't buy any of them ... I shall remain a bachelor until I can buy the merchandise that suits me, but for the time being I shan't buy ... no ...'

            His mother left him to go and complain to his father. They had failed in making a choice.