Chapters 7 through 13 Summary

In Chapter seven, the entire household packs up once each year and goes to Oued Fez, property owned by Fatima's uncle, for a picnic. The trip, the food and the preparations are time-consuming and elaborate and everyone has to pitch in to help. The "important" adults ride in the cars and the children, accompanied by the less important adults such as the divorced aunts, ride in a truck rented for the occasion. Fatima says that her mother, upon their arrival home, would be depressed for days. Fatima's mother says that, having had the freedom of the country, returning to the confines of the harem is more upsetting.

Anyone in the harem who wants to go outside must pass by Ahmed, the door keeper. However, by climbing onto the terrace and jumping to a neighboring terrace, the women could get to the...