‘Some people have boot-licking ingrained in their makeup.’ Buta Singh recalled that he had passed that judgment on Wazir Chand more than once and quickly tried to generalize it. ‘All these magistrates are great lions in their own homes. When it comes to facing the Sahib, you should see them: each anxious to push the other in front. When Taylor is there, they can’t utter a squeak.’

‘This has come because of centuries of slavery. Our country has never been free and we have developed a servile mentality. We are frightened of power. Rarely do we get someone who can stand up to it: someone like Sivaji, or Rana Pratap, or our own Guru, Govind Singh.’ Sher Singh’s heroes were the tough men of Indian history who had fought the Muslims.

Buta Singh acknowledged his son’s compliment. ‘Those were great men called upon by destiny to save their country. I am talking of common people like us. Take this business of getting permission for the procession. Not one of these Hindus, who give battle with their tongues, would face Taylor and get him to revise his decision. They had to come to me.’

‘Did he grant them permission?’ asked Sabhrai.

‘Of course! Didn’t take a minute. It would have been a little awkward if he had asked me why a Sikh had to speak on behalf of the Hindus.’

‘Sikhs have always had to help the Hindus,’ answered his wife proudly. ‘That is nothing new.’

Buta Singh felt the mantle of ‘Defender of the Hindus’ descend on him. His tone became generous and patronizing. ‘There are other things about these English which one must admire. When Taylor realized his order was a mistake—I pointed that out to him—he did not hesitate one moment to alter it. No personal pride or anything.’

‘It isn’t by accident that they are sitting on half the world as rulers,’ joined Sher Singh. ‘Look at the way their delegates come to negotiate with Indians who have been put in jail by their own King’s Viceroy. No personal pride or anything.’ He concluded with his father’s words.

‘We Indians have a lot to learn from them.

Sher Singh sensed that the remark was directed to him. ‘They too have something to learn form us,’ he said, taking up the challenge.

‘What?’

He did not answer or look up.

‘What,’ repeated Buta Singh, ‘can Indians teach Englishmen?

‘O, many things, like . . . like . . . .’

‘Like what?’

‘Like hospitality . . . tolerance . . .’

‘Rubbish! Ask the eighty million untouchables what they think of the tolerance of the caste Hindus. Ask the Hindus and Sikhs about the tolerance of the Muslims.’