Chapter 11 Summary

While the radio reports a victory, one of the wives whose husband has been killed says otherwise. The Japanese surprised the Chinese pilots causing them to miss the Japanese navy in the harbor and drop their bombs on their countrymen in Shanghai. Hulan's only response is joy that her husband has survived. Winnie thinks it selfish and admonishes her to be concerned about others, that something worse could be coming.

Hulan says she is cursing their future with her words. It is a severe reprimand, and it damages their friendship. Winnie retreats to her room and makes a dress so tight that she is stuck while trying it on. She takes the experience as a metaphor that she is stuck in her friendship with Hulan and stuck in her marriage.

Days later, the wives are told they will be reunited with their husbands...