Chapter 1 Summary

At 6 AM, Gustad Noble begins his prayers in the courtyard of the Khodadad Building apartment complex. Down the street, an unsanitary little man sells milk to a line of housewives.

Nearing 60, Gustad is tall and broad shouldered, the envy of sicklier relatives and friends. A slight limp betrays an accident Gustad suffered several years earlier, while pushing one of his sons to safety.

Miss Kutpitia's voice rings out, condemning the milk-seller for watering down his product, but to no effect. Among the milkman's customers is Dilnavaz Noble, Gustad's wife. Dilnavaz is anxious to complete her purchase and get on with her daily chores. She remembers the days before milk rationing and rising prices.

The children fear Miss Kutpitia as a witch, but Dilnavaz tolerates the old woman's idiosyncrasies, which are reputed to include black and white magic, as well as divination. Dilnavaz may...