Structure

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Middle 

In the middle part of the story, the narrative draws attention to Mr Khan’s absence. The tension rises whenever Stephen questions Mr Khan’s absence (p. 152, ll. 22-23; p. 153, l. 29-30), and whenever he mentions Shireen being taken to a special school (p. 153, ll. 5-20). These topics of conversation create an external conflict between Stephen and Mrs Khan, which ends in Mrs Khan storming out of the room: 

Mrs Khan got up, full of imperious anger, pulled Shireen up from her chair and went stormily out of the room, tugging the child after her by the hand. Stephen could hear her, exclaiming and sighing and moving around the next room, and addressing alternately admonishing and tender remarks to the child. Then she wept loudly. (p. 154, ll. 17-22).

This also suggests Mrs Khan might be experiencing an inn…