Sifa listened intently and had hoped Mr. Hadi would tell him about that "mysterious story," but the old man closed his mouth, apparently with no intention of continuing.
He looked at Sifa and blinked. "Another pie?"
Sifa felt the muscles in his face twitching slightly. Was this old man expecting him to buy a pie for every answer?
"Mr. Hadi, I'll buy all your pies later, but right now, I really can't eat any more."
"Can I have them wrapped up?"
Sifa smiled.
Hadi thought for a moment and said, "I can sell you ten at most."
So I can only ask ten questions?
Sifa cleared his throat and nodded. "All right. Then, can you tell me about Mrs. Jane Britney?"
Hadi leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant as he stared at a window above the little shop.
It was as if, through that window, he could see scenes from a long-vanished past.
"My grandmother, in my memory, was a very mild-tempered and well-bred lady. I never saw her lose her temper, not even when she argued with my grandfather. Well, it should be said that only my grandfather ever lost his temper."
"In any case, my grandmother never got angry. At least, I never saw her do so."
After saying that, Hadi fell silent and began stroking his tin cigarette case.
That was it?
That was all?
I spent a whole soli just like that?
Sifa was beginning to regret it. Had he known the old man's "consultation fee" was so expensive, he should not have tossed out one soli earlier. He should have thrown down one penny instead!
After two seconds of silence, seeing that the old man had no intention of speaking, Sifa could only take the initiative. "Then your grandmother must have been an