Set in colonial India, this brief but powerful story centers on a dinner party hosted by a British official. The plot is sparked by a spirited debate between a colonel and a young girl: the colonel asserts that women lack the "iron control" of men in moments of crisis, while the girl argues that women have progressed. The argument is settled not by words, but by the silent, heroic actions of the hostess. Narrative Craft and Pacing Gardner excels at atmospheric buildup
: Inscribed with the names of an additional 999 women in gold on white tile, providing a foundation for the 39 "guests" at the table [5.3, 15]. III. The Creative Process The Dinner Party -1994-