Summary

Chapter Three, set on November 16th, 1955, begins after Lakshmi bathes Radha. She dresses Radha and tries to teach her proper etiquette, such as not touching other people’s things or staring with one’s mouth open. Malik arrives and Lakshmi gives him a shopping list. When Radha takes a flower for her hair, Lakshmi does not get angry but worries her sister’s curiosity is dangerous. Lakshmi sends Radha with Malik to get food as she runs her own errand.

Lakshmi tells the reader she used to make contraceptive teas for courtesans and learned henna from them in return. This is how she met Samir who told her she would make more money in Jaipur providing the tea for mistresses of rich men. Now, Lakshmi paints henna for high-class women while quietly selling contraceptives. She did help Parvati...