Chapters Six through Nine Summary

Sisters Nyambura and Muthoni are at the Honia getting water when Muthoni breaks the news that she plans to be circumcised, though they both profess to be Christians and know that the missionaries who teach them say that circumcision of girls is a "pagan rite" that is to be avoided. Further, their father, Joshua, will never allow it. Muthoni argues that both her father and mother are Christians and that both were circumcised before their move to Christianity. Nyambura realizes that she hasn't given this subject as much thought as her younger sister apparently has. Nyambura tries to talk Muthoni out of taking this step, but Muthoni is adamant and Nyambura, loving her sister so fully, wants to help. Knowing that their parents will never agree, Nyambura suggests that Muthoni go to an aunt at Kameno when...