The Satanic Verses

Srinivas, a toy merchant, threatened his wife and children to become sanyasi, wandering with a begging bowl and stick. Mrs. Srinivas treated these threats tolerantly, knowing her husband enjoyed being seen as devout and adventurous. However, when she saw his contented appetite and his armchair on their porch, she writhed indoors, revealing his empty chair with a unfinished lime-juice glass.