He discovered he had made a mistake, but he had realized it too late. Now he didn’t know what would happen. When they reached police headquarters the people stayed outside. The policeman had Hajji and the woman enter a room in which two officers were sitting behind a table. The policeman saluted, described what had happened, then took himself off and went to stand by the door at the end of the room. The chief turned to Hajji and said:

“What is your name?”

“Your honour, I’m your servant. My name is Hajji Morad. Everyone knows me in the bazaar.”

“What is your profession?”

“I’m a rice merchant. I have a store in the bazaar. I’ll do whatever you say.”

“Is it true that you were disrespectful to this lady and hit her in the street?”

“What can I say? I thought she was my wife.”

“Why?”

“Her chador has a white trim.”

“That’s very strange. Don’t you recognize your wife’s voice?”

Hajji heaved a sigh. “Oh, you don’t know what a plague my wife is. My wife imitates the sound of all the animals. When she comes from the public baths she talks in the voices of other women. She imitates everyone. I thought she wanted to trick me by changing her voice.”

“What impudence,” said the woman. “Officer, you’re a witness. He slapped me in the street, in front of a million people. Now all of a sudden he’s as meek as a mouse! What impudence! He thinks the city has no laws. If Mashadi Hosein knew about it he’d give you what you deserve. To his wife, your Honour!”

The officer said, “Very well, madam. We don’t need you any more. Please step outside while we settle Mr Morad’s account.”

Hajji said, “Oh God, I made a mistake, I didn’t know. It was an error. And I have a reputation to protect.”

The officer handed something in writing to the policeman. He took Hajji to another table. Hajji counted the bills for the fine with trembling hands and put them on the table. Then, accompanied by the policeman, he was taken outside in front of the police headquarters. People were standing in rows and whispering in each other’s ears. They lifted Hajji’s yellow cloak from his shoulders and a man with a whip in his hand came forwards and stood next to him.