When we arrived at the Taheris’ home the next evening--for lafz, the ceremony of “giving word”--I had to park the Ford¹ across the street. Their driveway was already jammed with cars. I wore a navy blue suit I had bought the previous day, after I had brought Baba home from _khastegari_. I checked my tie in the rearview mirror. 隔日早晨，我们到塔赫里家里，完成“定聘”的仪式，我不得不把福特停在马路对面。他们的车道挤满了轿车。我穿着海军蓝西装，昨天我把前来提亲的爸爸接回家之后，去买了这身衣服。我对着观后镜摆了摆领带。?

“You look khoshteep,” Baba said. Handsome. “你看上去很帅。”爸爸说。

“Thank you, Baba. Are you all right? Do you feel up to this?” “谢谢你，爸爸。你还好吗？你觉得撑得住吗？”

“Up to this? It’s the happiest day of my life, Amir,” he said, smiling tiredly. “撑得住？今天是我有生以来最高兴的一天，阿米尔。”他说，露出疲累的微笑。

The living room was packed with about two dozen guests seated on chairs placed along the walls. When Baba entered, everybody stood up. We went around the room, Baba leading slowly, me behind him, shaking hands and greeting the guests. The general--still in his gray suit--and Baba embraced, gently tapping each other on the back. They said their Salaams² in respectful hushed tones. 客厅约莫有二十来个客人，坐在靠墙边的椅子上。爸爸走进去时，全部人起立。我们绕屋走着，爸爸慢慢领路，我跟在后边，和各位宾客握手问好。将军仍穿着他的灰色西装，跟爸爸拥抱，彼此轻拍对方的后背。他们用严肃的语气，相互说“你好 ”。

The general held me at arm’s length and smiled knowingly, as if saying, “Now, this is the right way--the Afghan way--to do it, _bachem_.” We kissed three times on the cheek. 将军抱住我，心照不宣地微笑着，仿佛在说：“喏，这就对了，按照阿富汗人的方式，我的孩子。”我们互相亲吻了三次脸颊。

We sat in the crowded room, Baba and I next to each other, across from the general and his wife. Baba’s breathing had grown a little ragged³, and he kept wiping sweat off his forehead and scalp with his handkerchief. He saw me looking at him and managed a strained grin. I’m all right,” he mouthed. 我们坐在拥挤的房间里，爸爸和我一边，对面是塔赫里将军和他的太太。爸爸的呼吸变得有点艰难，不断擦去额头上的汗水，掏出他的手帕咳嗽。他看见我在望着他，挤出勉强的笑容。

In keeping with tradition, Soraya was not present. “我还好。”他低声说。

A few moments of small talk and idle chatter⁴ followed until the general cleared his throat. The room became quiet and everyone looked down at their hands in respect. The general nodded toward Baba. 遵从传统风习，索拉雅没出场。大家谈了几句，就随意闲聊起来，随后将军假咳了几声。

Baba cleared his own throat. When he began, he couldn’t speak in complete sentences without stopping to breathe. “General Sahib, Khanum Jamila jan... it’s with great humility⁵ that my son and I... have come to your home today. You are... honorable people... from distinguished⁶ and reputable families and... proud lineage. I come with nothing but the utmost ihtiram... and the highest regards for you, your family names, and the memory... of your ancestors.” He stopped. Caught his breath. Wiped his brow. “Amirjan is my only son... my only child, and he has been a good son to me. I hope he proves... worthy⁷ of your kindness. I ask that you honor Amir jan and me... and accept my son into your family.” 房间变得安静，每个人都低头看着自己的手，以示尊重。将军朝爸爸点点头。爸爸清清喉咙。他开口说话，然而总要停下来喘气，才能把话说完整。“将军大人，亲爱的雅米拉……今天，我和我的儿子怀着敬意……到你家来。你们是……有头有面的人……出身名门望族……血统尊荣。我今天带来的，没有别的，只有无上的崇敬……献给你，你的家族，还有……对你先人的缅怀。”他歇了一会儿，等呼吸平息，擦擦额头。“亲爱的阿米尔是我惟一的儿子……惟一的儿子，他一直是我的好儿子。我希望他……不负你的慈爱。我请求你赐亲爱的阿米尔和我以荣幸……接纳我们成为你的亲人。 ”

The general nodded politely. 将军礼貌地点点头。