Chapter 7
Asghar arrives at home, where he finds Habibuddin, who was visiting in order to see some Hakims about his exhaustion. They discuss how Mirza’s son has been killed, and Habibuddin says the Engilish are more scared of the Muslims in India than any other group. A few other friends come in and join them. Mir Nihal listens on, and though he has nothing to contribute, he is happy to hear familiar voices.
Habibuddin’s son Nasim is now 12 years old, and has calmed a bit since his days as a restless child. He admires how the adults carry on conversations so effortlessly, moving from one topic to another without ever losing the thread. He had become aware of his own importance, as the only son of a government official, and was thus self-conscious. Habibuddin has Nasim recite a favorite poem, which expresses the patriotism of the time. Everyone praises him, and Mir Nihal is moved to tears.
Saeed Hasan stops by. He is now happily married to Surayya, and they have a son together. Habibuddin asks him how he feels about the political situation, and he expresses indifference toward the movement. He believes that God decides who has power and who does not, and that it is not for people to meddle in his affairs. He is one among many who accepts the general order, and does not wish to cause trouble or disturb the peace. He does not like English culture, or how it has entered Indian life, but he does not connect that dislike with a dislike for the British rule. He tells a story of a barber who used to attend to the king. He has two gold coins, and when the king inquires about how his subjects are faring, the barber tells him that there is no one who does not have at least two gold coins. The king has one of his advisors search the barber’s bag for a nail-cutter, but while he does so, the advisor also steals his two gold coins. When the barber gets home and sees his two gold coins missing, he is devastated. A few days later, the king sends for him and again asks about his subjects, to which the barber replies that no one has even two gold coins. The king has his advisor sneak the gold coins back into the barber’s bag, and the advisor acts as though he has found them in there. The barber is overjoyed. He uses this story as an example of how one should not meddle with higher powers.
Chapter 8
Asghar talks to his mother about marrying Zohra. He presents the situation purely as a matter of convenience, with his daughter needing someone to act as a mother and Zohra being the best available option, rather than as a matter of love. Begam Nihal agrees it would be wise to remarry, and allow a woman to take over some of the duties of childcare.
Hunchbacked Aunt, a relative whose husband had left her long ago after she gave birth to a stillborn child, has comes to stay with them for a while. She has a cat, Catto, whom she treats like a human daughter, even having discussions with her. She overhears Asghar’s conversation with his mother, and tells her cat that the world is selfish, referring to quickly Asghar has moved on from Bilqeece. The next day she tells Begam Jamal what she has heard, and Begam Jamal talks to Begam Shahbaz, who says she will never consent to the match.
Mir Nihal consents, so Begam Nihal goes to discuss the matter with Begam Shahbaz, who defers by saying she must consult Ashfaq. Asghar is worried by this, as his relationship with Ashfaq became strained during his marriage to Bilqeece. Begam Shahbaz tells Zohra to no longer see Asghar, but she goes to see him in secret. She tells him about Begam Jamal’s conversation with her mother, and Asghar is furious. He tells his father that Begam Jamal is opposing his marriage. Mir Nihal is also furious, and says she is always trying to get in the way other people’s happiness.
A blind beggar had come by the house asking for food, and though Begam Jamal had some to give, she initially refused, and the beggar caused a fuss. A sweeper comes to clean the mess and overhears Mir Nihal speaking ill of his sister-in-law, and reports what she has heard to Begam Jamal. She confronts Mir Nihal, and demands that he gives away who told him she opposes Asghar’s marriage. Mir Nihal is not willing to betray his son’s trust. Begam Jamal threatens to move out of the house. Mir Nihal, who is easily moved now, begins to cry, but still refuses to reveal his source. Begam Jamal says she will leave within the week unless he changes his mind. Mir Nihal is deeply saddened by the situation, and sends word to her that she should stay. Nothing can be done, however, and she moves out. The day she does so is a day of mourning for the household; she has lived there for forty years, and her presence no longer being felt in the house makes it seem as if she has died.
Analysis
