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Footnotes

* It can’t be, my friend.

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† Why not? It can definitely be.

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‡ Don’t distress me like that. We’re all very fond of you.

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§ What can I do? It’s God’s will.

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∥ What God? What does it have to do with God? Don’t mock me.

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* Just her. Secretly.

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† Trust me.

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* But what’s the matter with her now? What’s troubling her?

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† What’s wrong with her now?

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‡ What is she ill with?

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* Perhaps, Professor Rivlin, you could give her a postponement.

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† The best thing would be to waive it entirely.

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‡ The poor child worked so hard for so many years.

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§ What is this here, a marketplace?

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* He’s afraid she’ll do something foolish.

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† Like what?

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‡ I don’t know. He’s afraid of foolishness.

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* God save you.

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† Welcome, Teacher.

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‡ The man’s a saint.

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§§ Had I known it was Ramadan, I would never have agreed to come here today.

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* Believe me.

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† In good health or illness.

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‡ You’ve done a great deed.

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§ God bless you.

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* No, thank you.

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† Have you forgotten it’s Ramadan?

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‡ What Ramadan? What do you have to do with Ramadan?

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§ The rice is cooked, and the lamb is already on the grill.

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* Our Train.

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* The pill Samaher gave you is friendly to people.

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* If you’re hungry, my dear, there’s food. For a Jew, you’ve fasted enough for all your own and your family’s sins. But if you don’t want to stop now, you should know that the SLA cannon shot [ending the fast] will be in less than an hour.

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† The SLA cannon shot? What’s that?

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* But why leave? We won’t let you.

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* You spoil me more than my wife does.

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† How can that poor woman spoil you if she never has any time?

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* The poor things.

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* Who had fasted, for no good reason, like a believer.

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* Is there a third one, then?

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* I’m an old man tied every night to his own bed.

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* What the hell!

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† Where are you, you little black bastard?

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‡ Who is it?

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§ But whom have you brought us?

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∥ Be careful! Don’t move or touch anything.

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* The little bastard’s broken my heart.

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* That’s enough, Ra’uda. We didn’t come here for your tears. I’ve brought you a very important guest. If you don’t stop crying, he’ll run away. I’ve come to eat with you. And I’m good and hungry. If you don’t get a move on, the Abuna will feed our guest himself. Why cry, my sister? It’s a holiday. Even this Jew fasted today in its honor.

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† Enough, enough! Don’t start all over from the beginning.

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* And so, gentlemen, the Muslims eat by night, the Jews eat by day, and you Christians eat by both.

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† But my job is to know, not to help.

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* But why?

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† Perhaps if we learn these signs here, in Palestine, we can warn the president [Arafat].

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‡ Whom? Are you out of your mind? It’s best to say nothing. No warnings and no Algeria! Let’s not go giving the Devil ideas, God forbid.

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* The church is filling up, my sister. They’ve come from Kabatiyeh and Tubas, and there are even Circassians from Dir el-Balad. They’ve all given up their sleep for you and are expecting a night of delights.

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* God willing.

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* You see, Madam, even a Jew wants to know what you’ll sing tonight in Paradise.

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† Paradise… Paradise… Everyone in Palestine gets carried away, they’re all a bit crazy. Who told you anyone sings in Paradise at all?

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‡ Very good. I can already feel, Madam, the pleasure in store for me.

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§ But aren’t you terribly tired, Monsieur?

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* Faint, my dear soul! Faint, O holy virgin!

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* Only with the children. Not without them.

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* Never! Just listen to yourself, you madwoman! People will talk about you!

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* My dear sir, it is never too late to embrace the true faith.

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* Where’s Issam?

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* The Little Mosque.

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* Cut it out, Rashid! What are you doing? I’m not taking a penny back. That trip across the border was wonderful, unforgettable. That nun is still singing inside me.

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† The Crazy Shepherd.

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* Never mind.

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† Is there an inexpensive room for me?

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‡ A room? Tonight? Here?

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§ A small side room, anything.

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* But don’t tell anyone.

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† We’ve become her slaves.

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‡ She knew everything.

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§ And giddy-up, she was already on the horse!

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∥ A pure, fine soul.

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* You put it so well.

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† At least give me something to eat, Fu’ad.

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* You would have liked lamb better, Professor.

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† Next time I’ll have to be more careful.

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* I just remembered, Professor, that the pillow here isn’t fresh.