Summary

Pages 50 through 52 – Sophie reads a romance novel to the eager Salima and Josephine, but is interrupted by the busy Mama Nadi, who sends Josephine and Salima out to do work around the bar. Before she gets started, however, Salima reports that Mr. Harari is coming up the road. She and Sophie tease Josephine about her plans to go away with him. In her turn, Josephine taunts Sophie about being “ruined” and brags again about who her own father was. Mama Nadi sends her out with a forceful reminder that her own father “was whoever put money in my mama’s pocket” and that it doesn’t matter who anyone’s father is.

Pages 52 through 54 – After Josephine and Salima have gone, Mama Nadi gives Sophie the lockbox and tells her to count the money. Sophie discovers the stone in the lockbox, and Mama tells...