The Glass Palace

Though they have never been close, Dinu is struck by the change which has come over Arjun. Arjun’s attitude, training, and sense of camaraderie fascinate him. Arjun tells stories of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious diversity of the army; Dinu finds certain suggestions offensive and misguided. After an incident at dinner, Arjun recounts to Dinu a story about his friend, Hardy. Hardy is a Sikh and an officer who once made a social faux pas by dining in the messes of the other ranks. When Hardy is given command of older Indian non-commissioned officers, they reject him.

Arjun admits that he feels similarly and that the commissioning of Indian officers will be the end of the army. He lists the minute differences between the British and the Indian officers and discusses lingering resentments about pay, radio stations, and the use of umbrellas. The social fabric of the army, he explains, is incredibly fraught and complicated.

Rituals and traditions mark the upcoming wedding. With many diverse groups of guests, there are occasional disagreements, typically over politics. When fetching a pot from a store room, Bel encounters Kishan again. He tells her of his family’s past and their relationship to the Army; he is married, with one son. Bela is called away before their conversation finishes.

Dolly and Uma decorate the bridal bedroom and are joined by the Second Princess. Arjun organizes a shopping trip but must navigate an anti-war protest. Arjun, Dinu, and Uma are stranded in the protest when their car breaks down. They debate the merits of the war as they drive back to the wedding.

That night, Bela cannot sleep. Under a full moon, she walks through the empty house to the room where Kishan is staying. They stay up late, talking. As she leaves, he kisses her briefly.

The wedding guests leave early the next morning, departing for Rangoon by flying boat. Manju and Neel watch the sunrise from onboard the plane’s promenade deck, seeing as well the giant monsoon clouds ahead of them. They fly low through the storm toward Burma. As they arrive in Rangoon, Manju realizes how much she loves Neel.