Summary

Chapter 27 flashbacks to 1917 in Calcutta where Perveen is awaiting the decision of whether she must return to the Sodawalla home. Arriving at court, the Mistrys find their lawyer is booked for another case; Jamshedji takes over. In typical cross-examination fashion, Jamshedji starts pleasantly with Cyrus, then argues that Cyrus’ sister, who died at 14 in the menstruation room, shows negligence. It would be dangerous for Perveen to return as she may be kept in the same small room and be unattended to by the Sodawallas. Remarkably, Cyrus, on the stand, agrees that he does not want Perveen to return. While on break in the court hallway, Cyrus threatens Jamshedji over making his sister’s reason for death public. The jury granted a judicial separation. On the boat to Oxford University, Perveen meets Alice.

Chapter 28 returns to Bombay in 1921, and Perveen is wrapped in a...