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Summary
Dr. Aziz had arranged the picnic late and Miss Quested had lost the intensity of her interest. She was, therefore, lost in reflections upon her future. She was thinking of her marriage which was to take place at Simla. She did not like the idea of her stay at Simla during the hot weather while Ronny, sweated down at Chandrapore. She believed, she could not avoid becoming like other Anglo-Indians after her marriage, but at least she could avoid rude behavior towards the natives.
Very soon they reached the Marabar station. An elephant was for them. Aziz had got it through the goodwill of the Bahadur. The elephant moved on with them towards the hills.
The elephant proceeded towards 'Kawa Doi'. Nothing could be seen on either side except the granite. Aziz told the ladies to take some refreshments before they entered the caves in accordance with the tenet of Indian hospitality. Aziz talked to them about Babur and Aurangzeb. Babur was his ideal though he had mentioned Aurangzeb as his ideal at Fielding's party. He admired Babur for the spirit of sacrifice he had shown at the time of his son's serious illness. He praised Aurangzeb because he was very pious. To him, all Mugal kings were wonderful.
Miss Adela Quested wanted to know something about Akbar. Aziz called Akbar a half-Hindu. He had invented a new religion in place of Islam. It was fine but foolish. Miss Adela Quested, however, did not agree with Aziz. She maintained that some universal religion as invented by Akbar was essential for breaking down the barriers of race and religion.
Miss Adela Quested told Aziz that she was engaged to Ronny. They climbed over some stones and entered the interior of the hills. They disappeared into the first cave. Mrs. Moore found the cave horrible. She hit her head against something and became furious. More alarming was the echo 'bom oum'. With great difficulty they had come out of the cave. She advised Aziz and Miss Adela Quested not to allow so many people to the cave. Aziz accepted the advice and forbade all except one guide the accompany them to 'Kawa Doi'. Mrs. Moore stayed outside the cave. She did not want to undergo the traumatic experience once again.
Mrs. Moore sank into her deck chair and thought of writing a letter to her children Stella and Ralph in England. But she failed to write anything because she had not fully recovered from the recent shock. She lost all interest. Even Aziz did not interest her.
Critical Analysis
The story is leading towards the climax in this chapter. Though there is no inkling of the impending disaster, the story has reached a point from where the climax was to start. It is ironical that Aziz was so unaware of the trouble that is going to come on his way. For the time being he was only obsessed with the lost glory of the Mughal rulers.