‘So what! Rats, dogs, cows, anything is good in a fight.’

‘He was fighting for the rights of dogs.’

‘How dare you? He was fighting for everyone’s property. Those thieves stole our dogs and sold them for four annas. Do you know how expensive those dogs were? They were English.’

‘Do you want me to throw rats in my office then?’

‘It is impossible to talk to you. Just look at Ghadiali. His son, twenty years younger, is joining an English law firm.’

‘I know that boy. Up to no good. His family is also up to no good.’

‘What “no good”? They work for Jejeebhoy.’

‘We know where that money came from.’

‘It’s legal. The English made money selling opium too. All your talk is inside the house. Go tell the government what they can and cannot sell. Write it in the newspaper. Can you?’

‘That boy is a scoundrel just like his father. Pimps and drug-peddlers.’

‘Now, you will judge. He has a law degree from London and you pass judgments with your BA third-class. Why don’t you join the court? Pass judgments all day! He has just bought a house at Cooper Square, among the English, do you know? Not free housing at Rustom Bagh.’

‘This house may be “free” for you, but it isn’t free for me. I pay rent. It may not be too much, but  . if he has such a big house in Cooper Square why does he come here all the time?’

‘Oh, Pesi. You don’t trust anyone. You’re angry even when your own brother visits. He too has stopped coming. The whole world is chasing your wife. The dhobi, Ghadiali, Junior Ghadiali, Daruwala, everyone. They have nothing else to do but run after your wife.’

‘I didn’t say Daruwala—’

‘Even Roshan—’

‘I told you I don’t want Roshan in my house. Doesn’t know how to behave. Last year, during Navroz, he put his hand on Zariwala’s leg. Jumped in her seat, poor lady.’

‘He’s a decent boy. A small problem. Everyone understands.’

‘He’s no boy. He is a full-sized, indecent man. And your great-grandfather. The panchayat had to rub their nose on the commissioner’s shoes because of him. Throwing rats.’

‘It’s because of him that we are fine today. Mohammedans, Hindus, all are converting. How many Parsees are—’

‘Yes! Your great-grandfather is responsible for the Parsee community. Not Wadia, not Davar, not Jejeebhoy. Your great-grandfather. Did he throw rats at the missionaries? You don’t understand anything. If you have been wronged, what should you do? Go to the police. Write in the newspaper. File a petition. No, nothing doing. He is not going to do any of that. What does he do? Throw dead rats. For what? Pariah dogs.’

‘You’re jealous, Pesi. That’s your problem. If you had behaved yourself with my family, we would have been in London today.’

8