Part 12 Section 34 Summary

The year is 1923. Parts of Satipur were slummy, as was all of Khatm. Olivia had been instructed to don a burka and follow one of the servants down the dark alleys. Olivia arrives and listens to the midwives talk: one describes how a nearby house had collapsed a week earlier, just as the bridegroom in a wedding procession had passed by. The midwives instruct Olivia to lay down on a mat and begin massaging her abdomen. The midwives, who are skillful and professional, are interrupted by someone at the door: it was the Begum, accompanied by only one attendant. The Begum is as interested in looking into Olivia's eyes as she is in returning her gaze. Finally though Olivia closes her eyes to the pain.

Part 12 Section 34 Analysis

The midwives begin as Maji had done. They were relaxed and professional, performing...