The Vendor of Sweets Chapter 10 Quiz

Jagan wants to talk to Grace, but she has not come to his part of the house for 10 days. He wonders if she was only friendly because she thought he would invest in Mali’s business. Now, he feels there is a wall between him and Grace and Mali.

At his sweet shop, Jagan asks his cousin if he has seen Mali. The cousin says he met Mali at someone’s house, where Mali said Grace is going back to America for work. The cousin admires modern women traveling alone. Jagan doesn’t tell the full truth and instead asks the cousin to distract Mali so he can talk to Grace. The cousin agrees.

Two days later, while Mali and the cousin go to see land for a factory, Jagan prays and then knocks on Grace’s door. He remembers how brave he used to be, like when he replaced the British flag with the Indian one. Though he was beaten and jailed, it showed his strong spirit. He feels that courage is still inside him.

Grace welcomes him. Jagan gently asks why she hasn’t been around. When she doesn’t answer, he asks if she wants to go back to America. Grace doesn’t reply but feeds a crow outside instead. Jagan senses that she is emotionally fragile and decides not to push her.

As he leaves, Grace tells him that Mali wants her to return to America because he can’t afford to support her anymore. She has spent all the money she brought. Jagan is shocked. He says in Indian culture, husbands and wives should stay together.

Then, Grace tells him that she and Mali are not married. Mali had promised to marry her in India, but it never happened. Jagan is deeply upset and says he cannot stay to listen more.

Back at the shop, Jagan tells the cousin that Mali and Grace are not married. The cousin says young people live differently now and Jagan shouldn’t be too shocked. But Jagan feels ashamed that such things happened in his home.

The cousin suggests Jagan should ask Mali’s side. Jagan says Mali already told him Grace must leave. The cousin defends Mali, saying he’s busy with business. Jagan gets angry and questions what business Mali really has.

The cousin reminds Jagan about detachment, as taught in the Gita. Jagan says he wants detachment but never really feels it.

Jagan asks how he can keep living in the same house. The cousin suggests using the back door to avoid Mali and Grace. Jagan agrees and tells him to keep the situation secret. When Jagan asks what to do about the couple, the cousin says he can arrange a quick marriage. Jagan is thankful.