Part 1, Chapter 8 Summary

The marriage proposals for Aruna continue to arrive; but still no one will ask for Uma's hand in marriage. Uma cannot help but notice that Aruna instinctively knows how to dress and behave in public, while Uma feels awkward and dowdy. Even Aruna begins to lose her patience with the situation that thwarts her own progress. She starts to gently chide Uma into changing her appearance and behavior in order to make herself more appealing to prospective bridegrooms.

Mama actively responds to matrimonial ads in the newspapers; but most people reply that they are looking for someone younger or more beautiful than Uma. After many rejections the family is disheartened about Uma's prospects for marriage. Then, one day, a response comes that a man is interested in meeting Uma. The prospective bridegroom is older, was married before, and works in the...