Summary

In Chapter 16, “A Few Hours Later,” the children are running away. The rain has swollen the river, and made it more dangerous than usual. The children are confident in their habitual use of the boat, but Sophie Mol is more insecure. Sophie has brought food for their escape. The children are haunted by their mother’s rejection, and have brought nothing with them. Because of Estha’s fear of his molester, the History House has provisions for them, but they are children’s plans. The twins plan on returning only if Ammu begs them to come back. Sophie Mol has insisted on coming along. She is attempting to make the adults feel bad for what they have done to them all, as children. She wants them to feel punished. They plan to return only when the adults are truly sorry, and think they...