It is all over by the next evening; the coup has failed. In three days, hundreds of Imperial Bodyguard soldiers have been killed and many others have surrendered. As the military closed in on the palace, General Mebratu and a small contingent of men fled through a back entrance and headed north under cover of darkness. The next morning, Emperor Hailie Salassie the First (Conquering Lion of Judah, King of Kings, Descendant of Solomon) returns by plane to Addis Ababa. Crowds take to the streets, wildly cheering and dancing as the Emperor’s motorcade passes through the streets of the city. Almaz is one of the cheering crowd, and she tells them their leader’s face was full of love for his people and their loyalty; she swears there were even tears in his eyes. No one has seen the throngs of university students who were protesting in the streets just days before.

The mood is celebratory on the streets but somber in Ghosh’s and Hema’s home. Marion is unsure of who the actual heroes are, but he knows he wants his friend the General to be successful at what he started. Rosina and Genet are beyond impatient as they wait for news of Zemui. Marion realizes the exchange of letters to translate and write will be no more, and the lively parties are almost certainly going to be less fun without the General’s presence. The Emperor offers a gigantic sum as a reward for the capture of General Mebratu and his brother.

Marion wakes the next morning to loud wailing emanating from Rosina’s quarters. Two soldiers stand outside the door, and the reason for their presence could not have been clearer. As the story unfolds, they discover that the General and his small band of followers made their way to safety but were eventually betrayed by some local peasants. When the police surrounded them, the General’s brother shot him in the face before putting the gun in his own mouth. Whether it was a suicide pact or a decision made by one brother, no one will ever know. Genet’s father, Zemui, refused both to surrender and to take his own life. As he charged the forces surrounding him, Zemui was gunned down without compunction.

The four people in the bungalow try to block out the wailing next door. Hema has gone to see them, but Marion has not found the strength to do so. Shiva keeps his hands over his ears and has tears in his eyes. Mr. Loomis calls to tell them school is open; despite their reluctance to go, Ghosh convinces them that school is better than listening to the crying next door.

As they drive through town, they are forced to a standstill, and soon there is a strange movement of the crowd around them. Suddenly, Marion sees three men hanging from a makeshift gallows directly in front of them. Ghosh tells the boys not to look but it is too late. The festivities have apparently just finished and the crowd is dispersing; one man thumps his hand on the hood of their car, which startles Marion. Soon the car starts to rock back and forth. Ghosh tells the boys to smile and look as if they are part of the celebration. The boys wave and grin and the crowd seems to become more good-natured. Finally the car is able to move. Shiva and Marion are clasped together in their womb position, badly shaken. Ghosh turns off the engine and holds his sons. Marion weeps for many things, and he feels as if this is now the safest...