She slowly looks from Dasegowda to the man. He gives her a hostile look and continues stroking Sannegowda’s hair. Dasegowda leers suggestively at Ajji. Sannegowda opens his eyes and looks at his wife. ‘Ha, you have come? Well, it is time you met John.’

Ajji is too stunned to say anything. Sannegowda smiles, lifts a limp arm that is holding a goatskin pouch. He slobbers some sharey out of it and belches. As Ajji looks on in disgust, he puts his arm amorously around the man.

Ajji’s stomach churns. This is the man she married? Lying like this with a man? And after all these years of vindictive outpourings against white-skinned people … He turns his head and kisses the man’s stroking palm with deliberate intent. Ajji turns away, heartsick, at last understanding the cause of the swelling in her husband’s penis. She has heard from Ningamma and the others how some diseases are passed on through sex to men, who in turn…

Oh god! They have been trying to warn her not to have sex with Sannegowda! Her lips twist: of course there is no chance of that. The man can hardly walk, let alone perform. And he hasn’t really been interested in her like that for years. Now she knows why. Ajji closes her eyes and turns to leave.

‘Oh, it’s not over yet. Don’t go,’ says Dasegowda mockingly. He outlines the conditions. Your husband’s life is in danger. That swelling will kill him. There is only one way to save him. You must dedicate your daughter to Ooramma and seek her grace if your husband is to live.

Ajji reels in shock and anger. What is he saying? Dedicate her daughter to Ooramma? How dare he! Leave Gangi to the mercy of this lecherous Dasegowda and the pleasure of any and every man who goes to that temple, like those lower-caste girls? She looks at Sannegowda.

Recoiling at the anger in his usually stoic wife’s eyes, Sannegowda slowly sits up, in obvious pain. He reaches out his hand and takes Ajji’s. ‘I know I have sinned. I will give all this up and come back to you. Please agree to this.’

Ajji covers her ears, trying to shut out his pleading, whining voice. Sannegowda drops his hand, puts the goatskin down and touches his forehead to her feet. Ajji comes out of the hut, her head and heart in great turmoil. Dasegowda comes after her.

‘Every woman’s first duty is to her husband. You know this. Dedicate her to Ooramma. Ooramma will look after her. Your husband will be safe, you will have done a service to God and you will be relieved of the responsibility towards your daughter.’

Ajji shakes her head.

‘Listen to me, daughter. She is fated to be dedicated to God. You cannot fight fate. Agree to this and save your husband’s life.’

She looks at him with dazed eyes, and then back into the hut. Sannegowda is trying to stand. Even as she looks on, he pitches forward. She runs in and holds him up against her slight frame, preventing the fall. Sannegowda holds her intensely and, looking at her with feverish eyes, says, ‘Save me! Gangi will be safe with God! Trust me!’