Chapters 20 and 21 Summary

Back in Mae Lwin, Edgar sleeps in, and then goes to the river at night. He swims, and then lies on a warm rock by the water. He hears a splash and looks up to see Khin Myo bathing. She sees him and runs away in embarrassment, leaving her ivory comb behind. Edgar picks it up and keeps it with him over the next few days, feeling too awkward to give it back.

Carroll leaves again on another diplomatic mission. Edgar is playing and tuning the piano one night when Khin Myo comes in. She sits next to him on the piano bench and he shows her how to play a little. He puts her hands over his while he plays so that she can feel the movement on the keys. He then kisses the back of her neck and she...