Part One, Second Chapter: The Loneliness of Gloria, Sections titled Gabriela Asleep, Of Food and Funerals, A Parenthetical Story with a Moral, and The Banquet Summary

Nacib tells Gabriela she is to keep the house clean, do the laundry, and prepare his meals. He wants to sample her cooking before letting her cook for the bar. He also tells Gabriela to take a bath. He later finds Gabriela asleep in a chair. Now that she has bathed, Nacib can see how truly beautiful she is. The next morning, Nacib attends the two funerals. Few people are participating in Osmundo's funeral procession, out of fear of offending Colonel Jesuíno and Ilhéan social customs. Nacib joins the procession, even though he...