‘I am taking the day off. Sat Sri Akal, auntyji. This is the first time you have put your foot in our home; it will rain today.’ He threw down his half-smoked cigarette and crushed it under his foot. ‘Do come in.’

‘I will another day, son. I am late for the Gurudwara. Look after your sisters and see them home when Beena has finished studying.’

‘Do you have to say that? Of course, I will see them home. Have absolutely no worry.’

The tonga drove away with Sabhrai.

Beena did not bother to introduce Champak. She did not seem to need an introduction or to be put at ease. ‘You go and work and don’t bother about me,’ she said making herself comfortable on the drawing room sofa. ‘I will stay here and do my knitting. I have promised to knit your brother a sweater before the winter.’

Beena went off to Sita’s room and Champak took her knitting out of her bag. Madan came in from the verandah. ‘Would you like something to drink? Shall I send for some cold butter-milk?’

‘No, thank you, I am not thirsty. I will ask for anything I want. After all this is like my own home.’

‘Absolutely!’ he emphasized warmly. ‘You must consider this your own home. Don’t wait on formalities.’

Madan seemed uncertain of the next step. He went over to the radio set, took off the embroidered velvet covering, and began to fiddle with the knobs. He could not find a station on the air and switched it off. Champak went on with her knitting without taking any notice of him. But as he moved towards the door she asked, ‘Bhraji, when is sister coming back?’

‘She has gone to her parents for the summer. It is very hot here and it wasn’t good for her and the little boy’s health.’

Madan looked out on to the verandah and slowly opened the door.

‘There is nothing wrong with sister’s health, I hope?’ she asked, putting down the knitting in her lap.

‘No, just the heat,’ he replied turning back. He realized that his presence was not unwelcome. It was up to him to make the next move. ‘Your husband and I have become great friends.’

‘Nowadays he talks of nothing but you. He is a great admirer of yours.’

‘And I am a great admirer of his. He is a wonderful orator. Today he is only the leader of the students; tomorrow he will become a leader of the country. I am sure he will be a minister or something really big one day.’

Champak laughed. She took up her knitting again and without looking up said, ‘I suppose you have thousands of admirers all over the city since you scored that century against the English eleven. You saved your country’s honour that day.’