Chapters 8-11 Summary

Esther introduces herself and describes the details relating to Shekure's secret letter to Black. Esther assumes the letter is to Shekure's brother-in-law, who is eager to replace his missing brother as Shekure's husband. Esther manages to read the letter, though she is illiterate. The letter asks Black not to repeat his youthful mistake and says that though he is close to her father, he should not call at the house any more. She is waiting for her husband, and though he has been missing for four years, she thinks of nothing else. Shekure also encloses the illustration that Black gave her years ago, depicting a personalized scene from the Hüsrev and Shirin story.

Esther then analyzes the letter, insisting that letters say much more than their words. She believes that Shekure does not really want to make the letter secret...