Chapters 18 through 22 Summary

In Chapter eighteen, Fatima says that her activity of hiding in the olive jars was only one of many "illegal activities" that occurred on the terrace. She says that the adults sometimes chewed gum, put on red fingernail polish, and even occasionally smoked a cigarette filched from the pockets of one of Fatima's cousins. The women also sometimes burned "charmed candles" meant to increase their sexual allure or bobbed their hair to resemble that of a favorite French actress. There was also talk of nationalist activities, especially women's rights. Fatima says that the situation means that the children have a great deal of knowledge that will get the adults in trouble with the masters of the house. The result is that the women who are participating in these activities are extremely nice to the children, are as indulgent as is possible...