Summary

The fifth chapter is titled “Asafetida.” Most of Tilo's customers are from India. When Americans wander in, she provides their requests and forgets them, remembering that First Mother said the mistresses' purpose is “To help your own kind, and them only” (70). She has been curious about a man named Kwesi but does not ask questions. One day, a lonely American enters (later identified as Raven). Tilo immediately worries about her reaction to him. It takes a moment for Tilo to realize she is drawn to him because she is not sure what he wants. She is surprised when he looks into her eyes and seems to see Tilo's true self instead of the old woman as she appears. Tilo wants him to know the truth about her, then feels intense loneliness. She turns to her tasks in order to stop looking at him. She...