In An Antique Land II

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'I know about these things,' said Zaghloul.
'But how could you know? Who was it who told you?'
'I've seen the way you stare at her,' said Zaghloul. '(...) If you're not careful, you'll find yourself saying "I'm in love," like a student or a college-boy. Watch what you're doing and don't forget you're a fellah: "love" is not for people like us.'
(...) 'What do you mean?' I asked Zaghloul. 'Why can't a fellah fall in love?'
'For us it only leads to trouble,' said Zaghloul. 'Love is for students and mowazzafeen and city people; they think about it all the time, just like they think of football. For us it's different; it's better not to think of it.'
(...) 'How do you know, ya Zaghloul?' said [Eid]. 'Did it ever happen to you?'
'Something happened to me once,' Zaghloul said quietly...
Amitav Ghosh's In An Antique Land

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