Memoirs of a Geisha Chapter 11 Summary

How It All Goes Down

  • Mameha visits the okiya to have a little chat with Mother.
  • Chiyo eavesdrops on the visit.
  • Inside Mother's room, Mameha tells Mother that she wants to make Chiyo her "younger sister" (11.40).
  • Mother drives a hard bargain, though, so Mameha makes a bet.
  • If Chiyo manages to repay all her debts by the time she's twenty, Mother will pay Mameha double everything Chiyo made.
  • But if Chiyo fails, Mameha will make nothing. Zilch. Nada. Zippo.