The three were sisters, aged fifteen, seventeen and nineteen. And had hanged themselves while their parents were out of the house. They had written a note to explain their con-duct They knew that their father was unhappy at not being able to afford dowries for them. After much debate and anxiety, they had decided to take this step, to spare their mother and father the shame of three unmarried daughters. They begged their parents forgiveness for this action which would cause them grief; they could see no alternative.

Rohinton Mistry, A Fine Balance.