The Thief and the Dogs

If there was a dog in the house—other than its owner, of course—it would now fill the universe with barking.

Why, you're capable of miracles,' he told himself. 'You'll get away all right'"

Didn't Rauf Ilwan used to say that our intentions were good but lacked order or discipline?"

the eyes of their hearts are open, but those in their heads are closed!"

A city of silence and truth, where success and failure, murderer and victim, come together, where thieves and policemen lie side by side in peace for the first and last time.

You are now one of those who commit murder; you have a new identity now and a new destiny! You used to take precious goods-now you take worthless lives!"

the death blocking his path, all the things that made Rauf's death an absolute necessity"

he silently acknowledged he did love her and that he would not hesitate to give his own life to bring her safely back.

Your envy and arrogance were aroused, so you rushed in headlong, as always, like a madman"

She's forgotten too, that woman who sprang from filth, from vermin, from treachery and infidelity.

"It was that dog who betrayed me, in collusion with her. Then disaster followed disaster until finally my daughter rejected me"

Things are no longer what they used to be. In the past you were both a thief and my friend, for reasons you well know. Now the situation has changed. If you go back to burglary you'll be a thief and nothing else"

There's a lot of intelligence in his eyes. His heart is as spotless as yours. You'll find he'll turn out, with God's will, a truly good man."

She ran up the rest of the way up and stopped in front of him out of breath[...] 'It's you!' she said, breathless and happy, seizing his arm"

"He walked on until he reached the Zahra offices in Maarif Square, an enormous building, where his first thought was that it would be very difficult to break into

You always act impulsively, Said, without thinking, but you mustn't rush this time; you must wait until you've arranged things, then swoop like an eagle.

The silence of the graves is more intense, but you can't switch on the light...Your eyes will get used to the dark.

With this revolver I can awake those who are asleep. They're the root of the trouble. They're the ones who've made creatures like Nabawiyya, Ilish, and Rauf Ilwan possible.

Listen, Said. Things are no longer what they used to be. In the past, you were both a thief and my friend, for reasons you well know. Now the situation has changed. If you go back to a burglary you'll be a thief and nothing else."

(Said, quoting the Sheikh, p. 102)