Part 1 Chapter 1 Summary

Old Man Shakil hates both the bustling native bazaar and the fashionable Western Cantt that neighbor his fortress-like residence and he curses both - and himself - as he dies. In 18 years of widowhood, he has kept his three daughters imprisoned and uneducated but well bred in the mansion, where they invent private languages and fantasize about male genitalia. Chhunni, Munnee and Bunny vow to remain forever together and to share babies. They appear at their father's deathbed dressed in bright colors and spend the time of his mourning settling unexpected debts. Swindled by moneylenders they retain only the unmanageable mansion. They throw a gala coming-out party to which foreigners rather than the local notables are invited. Alcohol is served and Western-style dancing enjoyed. The few non-white guests leave early. One of the sisters becomes pregnant.

The unashamed sisters commission a...