Chapter ThreeWith the approach of autumn, the summer holidays came to an end. Hamid went away to school with his brothers and as the days passed by he settled down to his studies which began to occupy his mind. His memories of the village and the people in it faded except when he met travellers from his neighbourhood and was stirred to ask about events. Did Zainab still remember him or did she, like so many others, let the past lie fallow until the future dispersed it? Did she feel anything of the meaning of separation or did the present keep her from thinking about past times?
In fact they were both of a similar disposition. Oblivion spread its cloak as they both became preoccupied with the world around them. But when Hamid was alone and had the opportunity to reflect on the countryside
