Translating Nouzha Fassi Fihri's La Baroudeuse: A Case Study in ...

His staying in her house might seem improper, but he was not going to
worry about slander at his age. He had waited decades for this meager happiness,
and he was not going to sacrifice it to the gossip of an obtuse society.
Holding her back straight, Dada Marjana served the tea, her voice and
laughter louder than usual. The little maid passed around the almond confections
shaped like gazelles' horns, semolina cookies, honey almond pastries, and other
sweets to which the visitors helped themselves generously, twittering all the
while, jumping like crickets from one topic to another.
Then, at dusk, they left as they had come, in a flurry of white wings.
Nonetheless, before leaving, each one insisted on taking Moulay Ali with her,
swearing before God and all the saints of paradise that she would not leave
without him, showing vexation at his refusal, in accordance with the exacting
rules of courtesy. Then, with a peaceful conscience, each one stole away, secretly
relieved that she didn't have to offer hospitality to this family member who was
after all a stranger. As they left, each whispered to whoever would listen her
disapproval of the two ex-spouses living together, a situation that was no longer
authorized by any law.
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Early the next day, Kenza came down from her bedroom, making as little
noise as possible so as not to awaken the servants. She had nothing to hide, but
she did not want their presence to spoil the poetry of the morning.