'Karma' - a Short Story by Khushwant Singh

Hello Friends... 

Sure, we all are doing well... Be careful, we must stay fit and shouldn't fall ill getting our studies affected. We shall eat and drink healthy, exercise regularly, and won't avoid our domestic and social responsibilities. And whatever time we get for ourselves at the end of the day, we must study hard for most of the time, so that we learn to think... and learn. We simply cannot afford to stop thinking, for we are learners, and we are the chosen ones who got the scope to learn... 

Let's learn to think first...

Here, we meet to read a short story, 'Karma' by Khushwant Singh together. It must be quite an opportunity for us to read Khuswant Singh, the great author and intellectual of his day. But there might be something more awaiting for us in the story, as this is a story written in English by an author who is an Indian, and not a native speaker of English. If the setting of the story is an Indian setting, we might get to see how the author negotiates the challenge of referring to something that is essentially Indian, and not English, in English language. Are we all set to start?

Karma

Khuswant Singh

The Title

Do you wonder what might it mean? Well, recently English speaking people are found to be using this word as a loan word very likely from language(s) spoken in India quite often. However, the concept or meaning, which seems to be fundamental to most of the communities around the world, is nothing new. 'Karma', derived from the Sanskrit word 'Karman' meaning 'action', refers to the belief that one's life would bear the consequences of his/her action, or 'karma'. Simple, right? If you don't put your sincerest effort, you miss out something important. Isn't it simple enough?

Why don't we start reading the text without wasting more time? Who would be bearing the consequences of delaying unnecessarily? 

First Paragraph

Sir Mohan Lal looked at himself in the mirror of a first class waiting room at the railway station. The mirror was obviously made in India. The red oxide at its back had come off at several places and long lines of translucent glass cut across its surface. Sir Mohan smiled at the mirror with an air of pity and patronage.

The Raiway Station

The setting [place] is a familiar one to all of us, right? Hence, we have the definite article [the] being used here to refer to the place [railway station]. Else, we know that it is customary to use an indefinite article when we introduce anything for the first time to the audience, right?

Sir Mohan Lal

And we have a character introduced at the very beginning of the story,- Sir Mohan Lal... 

He must be a very important person, one can not just miss the way he is referred to as 'Sir', right? By the way, do you know that the great men who are bestowed with the title of Knighthood [an honourary title bestowed by the British Monarch] are referred to as 'Sir'? 

He was looking at himself in the mirror. Whoever looks at himself on a mirror must be cautious about his appearance, right? Have you ever looked at yourself on the mirror in the waiting room of a railway station while travelling? What made you so anxious about your look then? Or is it your casual habit to look at yourself whenever you come across a mirror? Do you think Sir Mohan Lal had some appointment with somebody on his way?

The Narrative

Isn't it a simple third person narrative, somebody telling us the story which s/he seems to be knowing well in his/her own words? Well, undoubtedly it seems to be so...

The Mirror

And we have 'the mirror' as well,- made in India, and worn out, of course. The reflective polish [red oxide] had come off at several spots on the mirror, turning it translucent at those areas. Do you wonder why they had such a miserable mirror in a first class waiting room, where it is expected that travellers are served the best of the facilities?

How a Mirror Works

By the way, I am sure you know that glass is transparent, it allows light to pass through it and that is why we can see through glass. A coat of red oxide is applied on a side of a piece of glass to turn it to a mirror, preventing the light to pass through, turning it opaque and reflecting on the other side of the glass. In a worn out mirror, this coating comes off partially at places, turning the mirror translucent at those spots through which light can pass partially, thus compromising the reflective quality of the mirror. Hence, we get to notice translucent lines and blotches on a worn out mirror.

Pity And Patronage

Why do you think Sir Mohan Lal smiled at the mirror with an impression [air] of pity and patronage [support]? What kind of a person he might be who can smile with pity and patronage? Do you sense a hint of superiority from the words 'pity' and 'patronage'?

Phrasal Verbs

How about making note of the phrasal verbs like 'look at', 'come off', and 'smile at' used in the paragraph? Why don't you try to use them to express your own views whenever possible?

The First Conversation in the Story

"You are so very much like everything else in the country, inefficient, dirty, indifferent," he murmured.

The mirror smiled back at Sir Mohan.

"You are a bit of all right, old chap," it said. "Distinguished, efficient- even handsome. That neatly-trimmed moustache- the suit from Saville Row with the carnation in the buttonhole- the aroma of the eau de cologne, talcum powder and scented soap all about you! Yes, old fellow, you are a bit of all right."

The Shock

Are you shocked? You didn't expect a gentleman to be so rude and harsh, right? But is that all?

Personification?

What do you think about the expressions Sir Mohan Lal used to criticise the mirror? A 'dirty' mirror is understandable. A mirror might be thought to be an 'inefficient' one, particularly when it is worn out, though it's not a common collocation, right? But how about an 'indifferent' mirror?

Do you think that it might be a hint that the mirror is being personified, being treated like another human character? What could be the probable reasons for doing this?

An Exaggeration!

And how would you like to react to the fact that everything else in the country was so,- 'inefficient', 'dirty' and 'indifferent'? Doesn't it sound like an overstatement? At least we might safely say that the statement is in no way politically correct, right? Do you think that Sir Mohan Lal might have been under stress lately?

The Narrative

Have you noticed how the author arranged for us to know about the mirror from Sir Mohan's exact words? I am sure you haven't missed the fact that we have his words quoted here as a direct speech as Sir Mohan murmured- '"You are so very much like everything else in the country, inefficient, dirty, indifferent,"'

Thinking Aloud?

Does the fact that Sir Mohan murmured these words and didn't say aloud indicate anything to you?

The Mirror, Personified

Now we find it quite obvious that the author is trying to personify the mirror as a character as it smiled back at Sir Mohan, isn't it?

Sir Mohan, as Reflected on the Mirror... [Watched by Himself]

We have earlier learnt about the mirror from Sir Mohan's words. Now let's see how the mirror reflected Sir Mohan, shall we?-

So the 'old chap' [old man] was 'a bit of all right' [a pleasing person]. He was 'distinguished' [respected, and stood apart from others], 'efficient' [well organised], and 'even handsome'. He had a 'neatly-trimmed moustache', had his suit from 'Saville Row' [a certain place in central London, famous for its bespoke/handmade tailoring] with 'carnation in the buttonhole' [a particular flower that is inserted in buttonholes for decorative purpose], and wore the smell of 'eau de cologne' [a type of perfume], 'talcum powder' and 'scented soap'. Wasn't he well-groomed, with an eye for minute details for fashion? 

The mirror seemed to be quite impressed: 'Yes, old fellow, you are a bit of all right.' So, his attractive and pleasing personality was not to be missed, right?

By the way, that Sir Mohan had a charming personality was actually his own reflection, right? Wasn't it he who was looking at the mirror? Or do you think that the mirror really had a perspective on its own? But, can we really sense a smell by looking at the mirror? 

The Goodbye

Sir Mohan threw out his chest, smoothed his Balliol tie for the umpteenth time and waved a goodbye to the mirror.

The Man

Can you visualise Sir Mohan standing straight at attention, moving his chest forward? Was he trying to come up with a 'manly' gesture? 

Brand Oxford

He was wearing a 'Balliol tie' [a tie with the logo of Balliol College, Oxford University] which he tried to straighten perfectly [smoothed] with his own hands for countless times [umpteenth time] repeatedly.

Did he belong to Balliol College, Oxford, in any way? Do you think he was a bit obsessed with his appearance as we see him smoothening his tie for countless times? 

The Goodbye

Then he waved a goodbye to the mirror. Was that his checking out his look for the final time? Or, was it his rehearsing to wave at somebody he was expecting to meet? Or, did he actually consider the mirror to be a character while he was all alone [can we safely assume so?] in the waiting room? Or, was the mirror being the alter ego [the other self] of Sir Mohal Lal?

The Dramatic Elements

We can't conclude about this for sure now, right? But I think that the mirror being treated like a human character adds a lot of drama to the situation. Do you agree at all?

Phrasal Verbs

Would you care to check if we have any phrasal verb in this section of the text? Why don't you find out how can we use it in different situations?

The Introduction of the Second Character

He glanced [looked at] at his watch. There was still time for a quick one.

"Koi Hai!"

A bearer in white livery appeared through a wire gauze door.

The Time-factor

Do you now feel that time is important here for some reason? Yes, time must be important when you are waiting for a train to catch, isn't it? But there was still a window of time for something,- 'a quick one'. What could be this, anyway?

Is There Anybody to Attend?

'"Koi Hai!"'- This is what we might say an excellent example of an Indian writing in English. Note how skillfully the author uses a Hindustani [an Indian language] expression as a direct speech. Don't you think that this particular usage pushes the non-Indian readers to gain some insight into the Indian socio-cultural aspect? By the way, what socio-cultural insight do you yourself gather from this?

The Bearer

Now we get introduced to another character in the story,- the bearer [a staff meant to carry out the orders of superiors] in white dress [livery]. Do you really find it difficult to understand that Sir Mohan asked for this attendant with his '"Koi Hai!"' [Is there anybody to attend?]?

Next Paragraph

"Ek Chota," ordered Sir Mohan, and sank into a large cane chair to drink and ruminate, Outside the waiting room, Sir Mohan Lal's luggage lay piled along the wall. On a small grey steel trunk, Lachmi, Lady Mohan Lal, sat chewing a betel leaf and fanning herself with a newspaper.

The Order

Sir Mohan ordered the orderly [the bearer] for 'Ek Chota' [one small]. What might it be, do you wonder? How would you like to appreciate the expression as a sign of Indian writing in English? Don't you feel the author is skillful enough to improvise a foreign language [English] in order to suit a context [Indian] that is foreign to the language [English] with original [Hindustani] expressions from the context? 

Back then, common Indians did not get to learn the English language, and received the orders they had to carry out for their superiors mostly in Indian languages like Hindustani. By using such expressions, the author has in fact attempted to gain realism.

Time to Relax

Sir Mohan surely had enough time in his hand, don't you feel so? Note how he sat (on a large cane chair) in a relaxed manner [sank into] to drink and think [ruminate]... Yes, if you ask for my opinion, I would rather say that he must had enough time to sip alcohol and think in a relaxed way.

The Pile of Luggage

Sir Mohan had a lot of luggage with him,- 'Sir Mohan Lal's luggage lay piled [in heaps] along the wall'. Do you think he was travelling a long distance and was, or would be away from home for long?

Lachmi, Lady Mohan Lal

How do you feel as you get introduced to Lachmi, Lady Mohan Lal? Can you visualise her? Do you find any hint of sophistication associated with her? Or do you find her more like a common Indian woman waiting at the station for her train to arrive? Do you feel her more being 'Lachmi', or more being Lady Lal? Can you explain why?

Phrasal Verbs

Would you care to look for the other different usages of the phrasal verb 'sink into' on the internet?

Participle Adjectives

Participle adjectives come very handy in compressing the length of sentences, thereby saving us some time. Note how the present participle adjectives 'chewing' and 'fanning' allowed the author to narrate in a very compact way. Don't you feel that the compactness of the expression would have been lost had the author used those adjectives as verbs in separate clauses?

Lachmi

She was short and fat and in her middle forties. She wore a dirty white sari with a red border. On one side of her nose glistened a diamond nose-ring, and she had several gold bangles on her arms. She had been talking to the bearer until Sir Mohan had summoned him inside. As soon as he had gone, she hailed a passing railway coolie.

"Where does the zenana stop?"

"Right at the end of the platform."

Her Appearance

Let's look at Lachmi more closely, shall we? She was 'short' and 'fat', aged around forty-five [middle forties]. Would you like to visualise the couple together, in contrast?

Her Dress

'She wore a dirty white sari with a red border.'- What could be the reason behind she wearing a dirty sari [a long piece of cloth worn by ladies in many provinces of India and Bangladesh]? Do you have the hunch that she was not provided enough in her family? Was it the reason why she was waiting outside the waiting room instead of being with Sir Mohan Lal? Doesn't it sound awkward that 'Lady Lal' was wearing a dirty sari?

And Accessories

Well, the very next sentence indicates that it wasn't the fact that she was not provided with- 'On one side of her nose glistened a diamond nose-ring, and she had several gold bangles on her arms.' One who wears a diamond nose ring and several gold bangles must be provided with, right? What could be the possible reasons behind her wearing a dirty sari?

Lachmi Interacting with Others

Let's find out what Lachmi was busy doing as Sir Mohan kept himself busy with self-contemplation [thinking about one's own self].- 'She had been talking to the bearer until Sir Mohan had summoned him inside. As soon as he had gone, she hailed a passing railway coolie.'

Isn't it interesting to note that while Sir Mohan was busy with himself, Lachmi had been talking to the bearer until he went inside the waiting room as Sir Mohan Lal had called [summoned]. The moment the bearer went inside, Lachmi called [hailed] a porter [coolie].

The Zenana

She enquired about the position of the ladies' compartment [zenana] in the train that they were waiting for. 

Have you noted how the author has chosen to use a non-English expression (originally a Persian word that was taken as a loan word by many Indian languages) to provide the readers a better insight into the socio-cultural labyrinth of India? We still have compartments specially reserved for ladies in many trains in India. Does that provide you a clue into the social status of women in India? What do you think you can read out of this reservation meant specially for the ladies?

Sir Mohan And Lady Lal

Certainly, only ladies can board a ladies' compartment. Weren't the couple going to travel together in the same compartment?

Perfective Aspect

It is important to note the usage of perfective aspect while referring to past tense in this paragraph. We commonly use perfective aspect to indicate the sense of completion; and in past tense in particular, it is used to refer to an action comparatively more past.

Next Paragraph

The coolie flattened his turban to make a cushion, hoisted the steel trunk on his head, and moved down the platform. Lady Lal picked up her brass tiffin-carrier and ambled along behind him. On the way she stopped by a hawker's stall to replenish her silver betel leaf case, and then joined the coolie. She sat down on her steel trunk [which the coolie had put down] and started talking to him.

The Visual

The Coolie

Don't you find the paragraph visually explicit? Of course, the narration is detailed enough to help us to visualise how the coolie made his 'turban' [a long piece of cloth to be worn around the head] flat to make a cushion on his head, and lifted [hoisted] the steel trunk on his head, and walked. 

Yes, it was a time much before we started to wheel our own luggage. And we still have coolies carrying luggage on their heads in many railway stations in India, right?

Lachmi

Lachmi walked slowly [ambled], at leisure, behind the coolie. Why do you think she chose to carry the tiffin-carrier herself? Was she determined to carry as much she could, or was it for some other reason? Let me know what you think about this.

A Close Look 

Have you noted that her betel leaf case was of silver? She certainly belonged to a rich family. Maybe the fact she wore a dirty sari reflects her being essentially a commonplace lady instead of being as sophisticated as her husband?

Stopping at the Hawker's

She stopped at a hawker's [surely she bought some betel leaves and accessories like betel nuts and other spices to refill [replenish] her case] and reached the spot where the ladies compartment was expected to stop. She sat down on her trunk and started to talk to the coolie again. 

Do you think Sir Mohan Lal would have behaved likewise? How do you think he would be boarding the train?

Punctuation for Meaning

Don't forget to make a note of how commas are used skillfully to join clauses in the first sentence of the paragraph. Don't you feel that the way the clauses have been joined together indicate that those actions were performed in a continual sequence without any significant time gap occurring in between them?

Another Conversation

"Are the trains very crowded on these lines?"

"These days all trains are crowded, but you'll find room in the zenana."

"Then I might as well get over the bother of eating."

Lady Lal opened the brass carrier and took out a bundle of cramped chapattis and some mango pickle. While she ate, the coolie sat opposite her on his haunches, drawing lines in the gravel with his finger.

Common Topic for a Conversation at a Railway Station

What do you say about the conversation? Very predictable, isn't it? Who started the conversation by the way?

Yes, Lachmi began the conversation as she wanted to know if the trains were crowded those days. Well, all the trains used to be crowded those days. But the coolie assured that Lachmi would find a seat/space [room] in the 'zenana'. 

Why do you think she would get a room in the ladies' compartment in spite of the train being crowded?

Planning Ahead

Lachmi planned to eat before the train arrived. Eating seemed to be a botheration for her. Can you say why?

The Menu

She had her food packed inside a brass carrier. It was nothing much, just a 'bundle of cramped chapattis and some mango pickle'. Would you have felt satisfied with this much while being on a trip?

The Coolie

The coolie sat there, resting on his heels with his legs folded [on his haunches], drawing lines in the gravels [stones of a particular size, that we find are used mostly to pave garden paths] that covered the platform. Sitting on haunches is still a common posture for commoners in India. But do you think that his drawing lines in the gravels might indicate something?

Maybe he was buying time to prepare himself to continue the conversation, or was just killing the time until Lachmi would speak again, or the train would arrive.

The Conversation Continued

"Are you travelling alone, sister?"

"No, I am with my master, brother. He is in the waiting room. He travels first class. He is vizier and a barrister, and meets so many officers and Englishmen in the trains- and I am only a native woman. I can't understand English and don't know their ways, so I keep to my zenana inter-class."

The Earlier Silence

So it was the coolie who broke the silence and kept the conversation ongoing this time. You haven't felt the silence earlier, have you? Well, we haven't felt the silence because the narrator kept us busy watching them closely throughout the silent time by narrating graphically in the preceding paragraph. We have noted Lachmi's food, the carrier, the way she packed her food, the way the coolie sat and waited. That has been quite a lot, right?

The Coolie

The coolie wanted to know if Lachmi was travelling alone. Does this question give you any insight into the society?

The Social Context

The Intimate Way of Addressing

Don't miss the way the coolie addresses Lachmi,- 'sister'. Note the way Lachmi calls him 'brother'. This is quite important an aspect for us to note to gain on some socio-cultural insight as well. Would you like to share your reading on this down the comment box below? 

The Topic of Conversation

I would suggest you to look into the topic of their conversation. Do  you think they could have taken up such a topic so easily had they not addressed each other that way? You might find more prominent reasons as well.

Travelling Companion

Lachmi was not travelling alone. She was travelling 'with' her 'master'.

Was she not travelling alone? What do you say?

The Master

How would you like to comment upon Lachmi calling Sir Mohan Lal her 'master'?

Let's get introduced to Lachmi's 'master' Sir Mohan Lal once again following Lachmi's perspective, right? We already know that he was in the first class waiting room, and have guessed that he must be travelling first class. Now we come to know about his profession,- that  he was a high ranking administrative official [vizier] as well as a barrister who got to meet many officers and Englishmen while being on the train.

Is it not interesting to note that Lachmi only pointed out to her husband's profession as she introduced him to the coolie? What do you think?

Lachmi Herself

Let's see how she introduced herself. She introduced herself as just a country woman [native woman] who couldn't understand English and didn't know their [the English people's] ways. Hence, she pointed out that she preferred to be in the inter-class [much inferior to the first class in terms of price and service] ladies' compartment. 

Why do you think it was so important for her to know the manners of the English people to travel first class? Do you think the condition stays the same even today?

Could it be, in any way, that Sir Mohan Lal used to feel embarrassed to travel with his 'native' wife in public? Or, do you feel that it was Lachmi who tried to avoid the society where her husband belonged?

Do you still think she wasn't travelling alone?

Next Paragraph

Lachmi chatted away merrily. She was fond of a little gossip and had no one to talk to at home. Her husband never had any time to spare for her. She lived in the upper storey of the house and he on the ground floor. He did not like her poor illiterate relatives hanging around his bungalow, so they never came.

A Merry Time

Lachmi continued talking happily [merrily]. Maybe she was a bit of talkative who couldn't do away with talking. We have found her chatting with the bearer when we saw her the first time, and then, she got the coolie. And she was happy. Maybe, it requires very little to make simple country people happy...

Somebody to Talk to

'She was fond of a little gossip'- We have guessed it, right? But why do you think she 'had no one to talk to at home'? 

No Time for the Woman

Was Sir Mohan too busy to stay at home mostly?- We get the answer right away in the very next sentence: 'Her husband never had any time to spare for her.'. Do you think the word 'never' a bit awkward though? How busy a person can be to 'never' have any time for his/her spouse? 

The Space

They lived on different floors. Was that intended for individual space? Do count the context of time and society before you answer.

The Family

But there might be other family members as well... Indians used to stay in larger families back then, right?

'He did not like her poor illiterate relatives hanging around his bungalow, so they never came.'- Now we know that Lachmi was from a very ordinary family background, her relatives being 'poor' and 'illiterate'. Sir Mohan did not like them. Did he feel them to be 'inefficient, dirty' and 'indifferent' as well, like everything else in the country? What about his own relatives? We haven't heard anything about them yet. Why?

Conjunctions

Use of conjunctions are very useful in balancing statements. Note how the first halves of the last two sentences from the paragraph are balanced [both structurally and semantically] against the last halves:

'She lived in the upper storey of the house and he on the ground floor. He did not like her poor illiterate relatives hanging around his bungalow, so they never came.' Don't you agree?

When the 'Master' Visited

He came up to her once in a while at night and stayed for a few minutes. He just ordered her about in anglicised Hindustani, and she obeyed passively. These nocturnal visits had, however, borne no fruit.

What do you say?

I would like to hear from you about this paragraph first. Why don't you share your thoughts first down the comment box below? 

An Unfair Relationship

Insufficient Time

Perhaps the paragraph comes with a shock, revealing how unfair a conjugal relation might be, right? Even when Sir Mohan visited his wife occasionally [once in a while], he stayed just for a few minutes. Why did he visit her? That he came 'at night' indicates that Sir Mohan intended to have sex with his wife during the visits. [Married couples tend to have sex mostly at bedtime/night because of availability. If you are interested, you may begin your own study here.] But how could he stay just 'for a few minutes' then? The time might be sufficient to satisfy Sir Mohan Lal, but is it sufficient enough to establish and secure a mutual relation of love and respect? 

The Power-structure

'He just ordered her about in anglicised Hindustani, and she obeyed passively.'- Isn't the answer we are looking for evident enough? What do you think about the actions of the characters involved? Sir Mohan Lal 'ordered', and Lachmi 'obeyed passively'. Do those expressions hint at a power-dominance? Do you think their relation was mutual and respectful?

The Tone of the 'Masters'

Why do you think Sir Mohan ordered his wife in 'anglicised Hindustani'? What made his English so dominant over his own mother tongue? [We here assume that Sir Mohan belonged to a Hindustani family, as far his name suggests.] Or was English his mother tongue, in any way?

The Child[ren] Who Were Not Born

The couple remained childless though,- 'These nocturnal [adjective of night] visits had, however, borne [gave birth to] no fruit [signifying child].' How do you think Sir Mohan Lal would have performed as a father to his child/children? How far do you think Lachmi could have protected them in case they were also looked down upon by their father as 'Indians' if they failed to fulfil his expectations?

Conjunctions 

Would you like to study how conjunctions are used here in this paragraph to balance and link the different parts of the sentences on your own?

The Narrative

Do note how the narrative tells us about the characters away from the setting at the railway station through the voice of the omniscient narrator, but often uses direct speech to let us hear the exact words of the characters when they are in front of us at the station to give us the feel of real, authentic life?

Next Paragraph

The signal came down and the clanging of the bell announced the approaching train. Lady Lal hurriedly finished off her meal. She got up, still licking the stone of the pickled mango. She emitted a long, loud belch as she went to the public tap to rinse her mouth and wash her hands. After washing she dried her mouth and hands with the loose end of her sari, and walked back to her steel trunk, belching and thanking the gods for the favour of a filling meal.

Back To The Station

Welcome back to the railway station once again. Didn't you notice that the narrator took us away to Sir Mohan's residence for a brief while leaving Lachmi and the coolie to chat away merrily? Wasn't that skillful enough?

The Railway Station with Its Elements/Characters

Note how the station is now alive with characters that belong to this place forever,- 'The signal came down and the clanging of the bell announced the approaching train.' Have you missed the fact that both 'The signal' that 'came down' and 'the clanging of the bell' that 'announced the approaching train' have been treated as living beings capable to perform the actions of the verb phrases? Even the 'approaching train' seems to act as a living character here, don't you agree? 

A Shift in the Course of Action

What do you expect now? Do you still expect to watch Sir Mohan Lal contemplating himself and to listen to Lachmi and the coolie having a chat together? Don't you sense a change in the setting now?

Yes, the signal, the bell, the expectation of the train arriving,- all these had awakened the station that had been sleepy earlier. No we expect the known characters to behave differently, and we also expect more characters to get introduced, right? We know that the trains were crowded those days, right?

Lachmi

Let's start with Lachmi. Do you feel she turned out to be an iconic representative of a 'native woman' here? Would you mind if I think aloud as I read along?-

'Lady Lal hurriedly finished off her meal. [My goodness! She was such a talkative! She could not finish her meal yet!] She got up, still licking the stone of the pickled mango. [Typical, right? She would rather die than to let the stone/seed of the pickled mango go waste...] She emitted [threw out] a long, loud belch [wind passed from stomach through mouth noisily] as she went to the public tap to rinse [wash] her mouth and wash her hands. [Who cares about etiquette? Belching is natural, and a native person, unlike the sophisticated artificial people, would certainly go by natural instincts] After washing she dried her mouth and hands with the loose end of her sari, [Now I think I know why her sari was dirty.] and walked back to her steel trunk, belching and thanking the gods for the favour of a filling meal.' [She was just a typical simple minded native woman who would thank God for the favour of a filling meal.]

I would love to know how you reacted to the paraph as you read along.

Do you feel the author is being satirical here? Don't you find the lady to be more 'Lachmi' rather than being 'Lady Lal' here in this paragraph? Shouldn't they be different personalities?

The Longest Sentence in the Paragraph

Let's examine the structure of the longest sentence in the paragraph- 'After washing she dried her mouth and hands with the loose end of her sari, and walked back to her steel trunk, belching and thanking the gods for the favour of a filling meal.' 

We have at least five actions performed by Lachmi referred to in here in this single sentence. But still, in spite of the length, the sentence is quite simple to understand, isn't it? This is made possible by following the linear continuity/sequence of the actions referred to,- first she washed, then she dried her mouth and hands, she returned to the trunk from the tap next as she belched and thanked God. Why don't you try to rephrase the sentence in your own way? But your sentence must suit the context, right?

If you ask me to do the same, I might rephrase it as:

She belched and thanked the gods for the favour of a filling meal as she walked back to her steel trunk after washing and drying her mouth and hands with the loose end of her sari.

Would you like to explain why I chose to edit the original sentence like this? Give it a try, it might turn out to be an interesting activity to trace the author's mind from his/her words...

Next Paragraph

The train steamed in. Lachmi found herself facing an almost empty inter-class zenana compartment next to the guard's van, at the tail end of the train. The rest of the train was packed. She heaved her squat, bulky frame through the door and found a seat by the window. She produced a two-anna bit from a knot in her sari and dismissed the coolie. She then opened her betel case and made herself two betel leaves charged with a red and white paste, minced betel nuts and cardamom. These she thrusted into her mouth till her cheeks bulged on both sides. Then she rested her chin on her hands and sat gazing idly at the jostling crowd on the platform.

The Arrival of the Train

Back then, the trains moved on steam,- 'The train steamed in.'. The coolie had already told that Lachmi would find room in the 'zenana', and so it was,- 'almost empty'. It came at the last [tail end] of the train, next to the guard's van. Do you find it surprising that the rest of the train was crowded [packed]?

Lachmi

Let's watch Lachmi once again together:

'She heaved [lifted with a great effort] her squat [short and broad], bulky frame [heavy body] through the door and found a seat by the window. [It would be a miss if you don't get to visualise this. Remember, back at those times, very few people would have considered the narration to be an act of body-shaming. And, it is noteworthy that we are not told that she panted.] She produced [took out] a two-anna [an anna used to be equivalent of four paise, the unit is no longer used in India] bit [coin] from a knot in her sari and dismissed [let go] the coolie. [Do you feel that she would now look forward to have a chat with some co-passenger] She then opened her betel case and made herself two betel leaves charged with [with a dash of] a red [catechu, a vegetable dye extracted from Indian acacia] and white [slaked lime] paste, minced [very small pieces] betel nuts and cardamom. These she thrusted [pushed with force] into her mouth till her cheeks bulged [swelled] on both sides. [People who are addicted to betel leaves and nuts prefer to have one or two after their major meals, and when they relax. Lachmi perhaps had both the reasons to have her share, right?] Then she rested [placed] her chin on her hands and sat gazing idly [watching lazily] at the jostling [pushing at each other] crowd on the platform.' [Don't you find her relaxed enough now that she had secured a seat by the window, and had had a filling meal?]

Do you think she was used to regular travelling? Do you find her incapable to make the trip on her own in any way? Don't you find the lady quite independent and composed in her own way?

Do you wonder if Sir Mohan had also boarded the train? We'll find out...

Next Paragraph

The arrival of the train did not disturb Sir Mohan Lal's sang-froid. He continued to to sip his scotch and ordered the bearer to tell him when he had moved the luggage to a first-class compartment. Excitement, bustle and hurry were exhibitions of bad breeding, and Sir Mohan was eminently well-bred. He wanted everything 'tickety-boo' and orderly. In his five years abroad, Sir Mohan had acquired  the manners and attitudes of the upper classes. He rarely spoke Hindustani. When he did, it was like an Englishman's- only the very necessary words and properly anglicised. But he fancied his English, finished and refined at no less a place than the University of Oxford. He was fond of conversation, and like a cultured Englishman, he could talk on almost any subject- books, politics, people. How frequently had he heard English people say that he spoke like an Englishman!

Sir Mohan

How about studying the paragraph once again together? Shall we study the character of Sir Mohan once again keeping in mind as we have already found him, and in contrast to his wife in particular?-

The arrival of the train did not disturb Sir Mohan Lal's sang-froid [calmness in hard situations]. He continued to to sip [drink slowly with small mouthfuls] his scotch [a costly variety of whisky] and ordered the bearer to tell him when he had moved the luggage to a first-class compartment. [Do you find it interesting that Lachmi had a 'coolie' to move her luggage to the inter-class zenana compartment where as Sir Mohan Lal had a 'bearer' to do the same job for a first-class passenger? Do you think there's a hierarchical difference between a 'coolie' and a 'porter'? Let me know if you know for sure. The question has come to my mind, but I am not sure about the answer] Excitement, bustle [rush] and hurry were exhibitions of bad breeding [ill manners], and Sir Mohan was eminently [notably] well-bred [well mannered]. ['excitement', 'bustle' and 'hurry'- all the three words more or less refer to the same meaning. Why do you think Sir Mohan chose to use the three words in a row? Do you think it has got something to do with emphasis? Do you feel that 'manners' mattered the most for him? Was he really a well-bred person?] He wanted everything 'tickety-boo' [in good order] and orderly [neatly arranged]. [Repetitions of words that mean likewise again! Is this an indication of emphasis, or the character's obsession?] In his five years abroad [in some foreign country], Sir Mohan had acquired [picked up/learned] the manners and attitudes of the upper classes. [Where could he have been, by the way? Have you noted the repetition of synonymous words here in this sentence? Try to find them out on your own if you have not. Then try to find out what could be the possible reasons behind such repetitions of repetition? Was it a frenzy to belong to the 'upper classes'] He rarely spoke Hindustani. [Can you now tell that Sir Mohan's native/mother tongue was Hindustani, and not English? How do you get to know? Can you explain?] When he did, it was like an Englishman's- only the very necessary words and properly anglicised [spoken in the English way]. [A language may have different sounds and sound clusters that do not occur in other languages. Foreign language speakers often find it difficult to utter those foreign sounds and sound clusters that do not belong to their language. For instance, a native Hindustani speaker uses the sound] But he fancied [regarded as a winner] his English, finished and refined [polished] at no less a place than the University of Oxford. [Have you missed the emphasis on the University of Oxford? The phrase 'no less... than' is used here to emphasise the fact. How about trying to use the phrase while expressing yourself?] He was fond of conversation [Really! We have heard him only to talk to himself, and to order the bearer at the waiting room and his wife back at his place.], and like a cultured Englishman, he could talk on almost any subject- books, politics, people. How frequently had he heard English people say that he spoke like an Englishman! 

Do you now get it confirmed that Sir Mohan Lal's native tongue was Hindustani and not English? Would you like to compare a 'cultured Englishman' with anything from his country now? Do you really feel a cultured person would have really looked down upon everything else? What is your idea of being 'cultured'? Who seems to be more 'cultured' to you, Sir Mohan Lal or Lachmi, if you think culture is associated with how people interact with others?

Let's continue to look into the mind of Sir Mohan Lal further... Shall we?

Next Paragraph

Sir Mohan wondered if he would be travelling alone. It was a Cantonment and some English officers might be on the train. His heart warmed at the prospect of an impressive conversation. He never showed any sign of eagerness to  talk to the English as most Indians did. Nor was he loud, aggressive and opinionated like them. He went about his business with an expressionless matter-of-factness. He would retire to his corner by the window and get out a copy of The Times. He would fold it in a way in which the name of the paper was visible to others while he did the crossword puzzle. The Times always attracted attention. Someone would like to borrow it when he put it aside with a gesture signifying 'I've finished with it.' Perhaps someone would recognise his Balliol tie which he always wore while travelling. That would open a vista leading to a fairy-land of Oxford colleges, masters, dons, tutors, boat-races and rugger matches. If both The Times and the tie failed, Sir Mohan would 'Koi Hai' his bearer to get the Scotch out. Whiskey never failed with Englishmen. Then followed Sir Mohan's handsome gold cigarette case filled with English cigarettes. English cigarettes in India? How on earth did he get them? Sure he didn't mind? And Sir Mohan's understanding smile- of course he didn't. But could he use the Englishman as a medium to commune with his dear old England. Those five years of grey bags and gowns, of sports blazers and mixed doubles, of dinners at the inns of Court and nights at Piccadilly. Five years of a crowded glorious life. Worth far more than the forty-five in India with his dirty, vulgar countrymen, with sordid details of the road to success, of nocturnal visits to the upper storey and obese old Lachmi, smelling of sweat and raw onions.

Sir Mohan Afraid of Being Lonely

'Sir Mohan wondered if he would be travelling alone.'- Are you shocked to find out that Sir Mohan wondered if he would be travelling alone? It's ironical indeed, isn't it, that he had his wife travelling by the same train in some other compartment while he wondered if he would be travelling all alone in his own compartment? 

Empty First-class Compartment

Do you note that this apprehension of Sir Mohan Lal also tells us that the first class compartments went mostly empty those days just like the inter-class zenana compartment? What insight do you get about the society from this very finding?

Sir Mohan's Expectations

'It was a Cantonment [a military station] and some English officers might be on the train. His heart warmed [felt good] at the prospect [chance] of an impressive conversation.'- Now we know that it was a military station, and there was the possibility of some English [military] officers to board the train. And Sir Mohan Lal felt happy apprehending a pleasant chat time. Do you remember that we were surprised to know that he was 'fond of conversation' in the earlier paragraph? Now we understand that Sir Mohan always looked forward to talk to the people belonging to the 'upper classes' though he detested/hated to talk to others. 

Social Context

Do you in any way now realise that the setting of the story is in the pre-independent British India. It is not very uncommon for the ordinary folk to follow the ways of the rulers. That's how they think they might receive some favour and might even get considered to be one of them. Sir Mohan might have been correct in observing the fact that most of the Indians were keen to talk to the English people. But why do you think he didn't include himself among them?

Sir Mohan, Different from Indians

'He never showed any sign of eagerness [strong desire] to  talk to the English as most Indians did.' This is what we refer to as irony, right? Wasn't he really looking for some English companion on his way? What do you think made him conclude that most Indians were eager to talk the English, and that he stood apart from them? 

'Nor was he loud [showy], aggressive [violent] and opinionated [biased] like them.'- Do you feel the irony again? Haven't we already found him to be 'loud' about himself, 'aggressive' about his wife, her family and 'opinionated' about everything that is Indian here? 

'He went about his business with an expressionless matter-of-factness.'- Do you feel the statement to be true? Yes, we have in fact found Sir Mohan to go around bluntly with an expressionless matter-of-factness till so far, right? How far do you think one should go armed with this 'expressionless matter-of-factness' while living in a society?

'He would retire [sit and relax] to his corner by the window and get out a copy of The Times [an elite British daily newspaper]. He would fold it in a way in which the name of the paper was visible to others while he did the crossword puzzle. [How cunning of him!] The Times always attracted attention. [It seems that he always tried to draw the attention of the English officers whom he met on his way, right? Else, why would he say that 'The Times always attracted attention'? It clearly indicates that it was quite a regular game with him, don't you agree? Why do you think he too behaved just like most of the Indians keen to talk to Englishmen?] Someone would like to borrow it when he put it aside with a gesture [signal] signifying [indicating] 'I've finished with it.' [Was 'The Times' not so easily available in India back then?] Perhaps someone would recognise [identify] his Balliol tie which he always wore while travelling. [Do you get it confirmed that Sir Mohan Lal ALWAYS played this game whenever he travelled?] That would open a vista [wide view] leading to a fairy-land of Oxford colleges, masters, dons [fellows/scholars], tutors, boat-races and rugger [rugby] matches.  [Surely, Sir Mohan Lal was obsessed with the magical charm of his days at Oxford] If both The Times and the tie failed [So, his newspaper and tie were not failproof. Why did he insist on the word 'always' then?], Sir Mohan would 'Koi Hai' [Amazing usage, right? Have you ever come across such a use of a non-English expression in English? It is what we refer to as code-mixing. Please note how the Hindustani way of addressing some listener who is not present before the speaker has been incorporated into an English statement as a verb, meaning Sir Mohan would call some bearer.] his bearer to get the Scotch out. Whiskey never failed with Englishmen. [Well, Sir Mohan appeared to have the habit of making universal/generalised statement. Does that reflect his superiority complex?] Then followed Sir Mohan's handsome gold cigarette case filled with English cigarettes. [Sir Mohan had quite a range of baits under his sleeve to trick the Englishmen, right? His hunt didn't stop at whiskey, but he had the ammunition of English cigarettes as well, fresh from his gold-case. He must had been quite rich a guy, right?] English cigarettes in India? How on earth did he get them? Sure he didn't mind? And Sir Mohan's understanding smile- of course he didn't. [Was Sir Mohan really more capable of leading an English way in India than even the upper class Englishmen? Or maybe these just reflect the secret wish of Sir Mohan that he used to cherish,- to be more influential than the Englishmen, so that he never got rejected an entry to the English world?] But could he use the Englishman as a medium to commune with his dear old England.'-

Are you shocked again? Is this what we refer to as 'expressionless matter-of-factness'? Don't you feel the involvement of the character setting a trap to hunt down some Englishmen 'to commune with his dear old England'? I'm afraid Sir Mohan had expressed a lot more than just being a matter-of-fact, objective person right now. What do you say?

'Those five years of grey bags and gowns, of sports blazers and mixed doubles [Do you note the hint of the other sex?], of dinners at the inns of Court and nights at Piccadilly [now a notable shopping area, used to be a hunting place for drugs, specially heroine during the 20th century]. Five years of a crowded glorious life. Worth far more than the forty-five in India [So, Sir Mohan must be fifty years old, right?] with his dirty, vulgar [ill-mannered] countrymen, with sordid [unpleasant and immoral] details of the road to success [Do you think Sir Mohan sounded like confessing now? They say even the toughest one also leak...], of nocturnal visits to the upper storey and obese old [it must be somewhat we call body-shaming now] Lachmi, smelling of sweat and raw onions.' [She must had spent the lion's share of her life in the kitchen.]

Wasn't His Life His Choice?

By the way, if those five years had been so superior than the rest of his life, why he didn't choose to stay back there? Why did he return to his country at all, and married one from his 'vulgar countrymen' instead of one from the partners he had during those mixed doubles at Oxford?

The Narrative

What is your opinion about the narrative for this part of the story? Yes, it seems to be a third person narrative technically, but, don't you get the feel that it was Sir Mohan himself who was revealing himself in third person?

Next Paragraph

Sir Mohan's thoughts were disturbed by the bearer announcing the installation [placing] of the Sahib's [honorific] luggage in a first-class coupe [compartment] next to the engine. Sir Mohan walked to his coupe with a studied [practiced] gait [walk]. He was dismayed [shocked]. The compartment was empty. With a sigh he sat down in a corner and opened the copy of The Times he had read several times before.

The Earlier Narrative

Do you now agree that those words that we came across in the earlier paragraph were actually Sir Mohan Lal's own 'thoughts'? Yes, the very tone of intimacy gave us the clue to assume that...

Who is narrating this part of the story? Is this still Sir Mohan Lal referring to himself in the third person, or have we got the third person narrator to tell us the story back again?

A Studied Gait- An Extraordinary Effort

Can we but appreciate Sir Mohan's effort to achieve the 'upper class' stature as we find him walking in some manner that he had practiced believing that's how upper class Englishmen walked?

Wouldn't you have been shocked if you had been there, with none to watch and appreciate you for what you had prepared so meticulously? 

Next Paragraph

Sir Mohan looked out of the window down the crowded platform. His face lit up as he saw two English soldiers trudging along, looking in all the compartments for room. They had their haversacks slung behind their backs and walked unsteadily. Sir Mohan decided to welcome them, even though they were entitled to travel only second class. He would speak to the guard. One of the soldiers came up to the last compartment and stuck his face through the window. He surveyed the compartment and noticed the unoccupied berth.

Sir Mohan

Are you surprised to see that Sir Mohan looked out of his window as well? As desperate he was to draw the attention of the ruling class people, what else could he have done then?

The Irony

It is worthy to note the irony though. I am hopeful you still remember where we left Lachmi. She was looking out of her window as well as we left her to meet her 'master'. Both of them are looking out of their windows, one was just engaged in some idle gazing, while the other was desperately looking for someone who might appreciate his worth as some Indian who was not as useless as them.

Two Soldiers- a Ray of Hope

Hence his face glowed [lit up] with happiness as he saw two 'English soldiers'. They were walking slowly, being tired [trudging along]. As we know the train was packed, they were searching for some free space. They had backpacks [haversacks] hanging [slung] on their backs and they walked unsteadily. What could be the reason? Maybe they were tired, maybe they were drunk...

A Generous Move!

'Sir Mohan decided to welcome them, even though they were entitled to travel only second class. He would speak to the guard.'- Do you feel Sir Mohan to be too generous? Or, do you sense his desperation? 

Those soldiers just deserved [were entitled] to travel only second class. Surely they were not officers, nor did they belong to the 'upper class' whose attention Sir Mohan was looking forward to meet. Still, half a loaf is better than no loaf... Ironically, he decided to speak for them to the guard, but never bothered to know if Lady Lal had boarded the train...

The Soldiers

In the meantime, one of those soldiers approached [came up to] the compartment and poked [stuck] his face through the window. He looked around [surveyed] and noted the free berth. Did he notice Sir Mohan Lal in the compartment?

Phrasal Verbs

Why don't you make a list of the phrasal verbs used in this paragraph and study them to use the on your own?

Another Conversation

"Ere, Bill," he shouted, "one 'ere."

His companion came up, also looked in, and looked at Sir Mohan.

"Get the nigger out," he muttered to his companion.

They opened the door, and turned to the half-smiling, half-protesting Sir Mohan.

"Reserved!" yelled Bill.

"Janta- Reserved. Army- Fauj," exclaimed Jim, pointing to his khaki shirt.

"Ek Dum jao- get out!"

Jim's English

'"Ere, Bill," he shouted, "one 'ere."'- How do Jim's English sound? We have a word 'ere' in English, meaning 'before'. Do you think that would sound meaningful here? What it might be then?

How about reading it as- 'Here, Bill, one here'?

Why do you think the sound /h/ got dropped? Was it some variant of English? Or was it just that he was a bit drunk?

Phrasal Verbs

'His companion came up, also looked in, and looked at Sir Mohan.'- would you care to note the phrasal verbs used here?

'Nigger'

'"Get the nigger out," he muttered to his companion.'- Were you expecting this? I don't think I need to say that 'nigger' is a slang variation of 'negro', used by many 'white' people to refer to 'black' people disrespectfully.  

Who do you think was the speaker? 

Why do you think the speaker spoke in secret [muttered]? 

Do you think Sir Mohan Lal wouldn't be able to hear him?

Sir Mohan

'They opened the door, and turned to the half-smiling, half-protesting Sir Mohan.'- Sir Mohan stood there, in front of the soldiers, 'half-smiling' and 'half-protesting'. Had he heard them conspiring to get him out of the compartment? Otherwise, why would he tend to protest? But again, if he had heard them, why would he still smile? Couldn't he believe his own ears? Was he shocked and couldn't decide what to do and how to behave?

The Rudeness

'"Reserved!" yelled Bill.

"Janta- Reserved. Army- Fauj," exclaimed Jim, pointing to his khaki shirt.

"Ek Dum jao- get out!"'- Even Englishmen could be vulgar, right? Just note how Bill shouted [yelled]. Jim seemed to threaten [pointing to his khaki shirt] Sir Mohan Lal. 

Irony

We have a mixed code here- 'Janta [Do you know?]- Reserved. Army- Fauj [army]'- It's truly ironical that Jim translated his English to Hindustani for Sir Mohan Lal, isn't it? Evidently, every Englishman didn't have the eye for 'The Times' or the 'Balliol' tie.

Next Paragraph

"I say, I say, surely," protested Sir Mohan in his Oxford accent. The soldiers paused. It almost sounded like English, but they knew better than to trust their inebriated ears. The engine whistled and the guard waved his green flag.

The Protest

Do we see Sir Mohan Lal to stammer? Why do you think he was stammering? Have you ever expected this to happen even for once? Did he sound like protesting at all? 

Sir Mohan's English

Well, that still he could use his Oxford accent [way of speaking] under such a stressed situation reflects how good was his English in spite of being an Indian, right? Do you hope that his English might save him from the humiliation the 'blacks' often experienced in the hands of 'whites'? I would like you to recall the experience of M. K. Gandhi in South Africa in this regard.-

'On 7 June 1893, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, then a young barrister, was on his way from Durban to Pretoria on behalf of his client, a merchant named Dada Abdulla. When the train came to a stop in Pietermaritzburg, Gandhi was ordered by the conductor to move from the first-class carriage (reserved for white passengers) where he was sitting, to the van compartment for lower-class travellers. When Gandhi refused, showing the conductor his first-class ticket, he was evicted unceremoniously from the train.' 

[Source: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20190325-the-birthplace-of-gandhis-peaceful-protest ] You may read the whole article if you are interested to know more about the time back then.

The Impact 

'The soldiers paused.'- Could Sir Mohan Lal's English be his saviour then?

It couldn't. The soldiers could not believe what they heard to be true, for they knew they were drunk [inebriated]. [Did we assume it correctly then?] It was more likely for them to believe that Sir Mohan was just a 'nigger' who could be driven out from the coach, right? It was time for the train to leave the station- 'The engine whistled and the guard waved his green flag.'.

The Next Course of Action

They picked up Sir Mohan's suitcase and flung [threw with force] it on to the platform. Then followed his thermos flask, briefcase, bedding and The Times. Sir Mohan was livid [furious] with rage [anger].

"Preposterous [foolish], preposterous," he shouted, hoarse [rough, croaky] with anger. "I'll have you arrested- guard, guard!"

Sir Mohan's Anger

What do you think made Sir Mohan Lal so angry? Did he feel his human dignity violated? Or, did he feel his English way of living being denied? Or, did he feel being downsized to Lachmi and other 'vulgar' Indians by Englishmen? Or, was it just an insult from some foolish 'lowly' Englishmen [whom he was going to throw some privilege upon that they didn't deserve] who could never have judged his worth that infuriated him?

The Soldiers

Bill and Jim paused again. It did sound like English, but it was too much of the  for them.

Standard And Other Varieties of Languages

Commoners mostly speak their own variant, they usually don't speak the standard/'King's' variety as do the aristocrats/upper class people

The Blow

"Keep yer [your] ruddy [rude] mouth shut!" And Jim struck Sir Mohan flat on the face. 

Other Variety of English

Do you get a glimpse of some non-standard variety of English now?

Complex Power-structure

And just don't miss how complex the social power structure can be. Sir Mohan Lal seemed to be quite invincible earlier, right, being a 'vizier and a barrister'? Who could have imagined that those 'lowly' soldiers whom Sir Mohan Lal himself volunteered to let travel by the first-class which they were not entitled to could have hit flat on his face?

A Miss?

They had no idea what they just missed, right? They could have travelled together and enjoyed a few sips of scotch and a few puffs of English cigarettes which even lured the aristocrat Englishmen to chat with an 'Indian'. Do you feel sorry for them?

The Next Course of Action

The engine gave another short whistle and the train began to move. The soldiers caught Sir Mohan by the arms and flung him out of the train. He reeled [staggered] backwards, tripped [stumbled] on his bedding, and landed on the suitcase.

"Toodle-oo!"

They threw Sir Mohan Lal out of the train. The train left without him. Would you like to share your feelings about the incident with us? How do you think Sir Mohan Lal might react now? Whom would he blame now that he had been violated by Englishmen?

The Final Paragraph

Sir Mohan's feet were glued to the earth and he lost his speech. He stared at the lighted windows of the train going past him in quickening tempo. The tail-end of the train appeared with a red light and the guard standing in the open doorway with the flags in his hands. In the inter-class zenana compartment was Lachmi, fair and fat, on whose nose the diamond nose-ring glistened against the station lights. Her mouth was bloated with betel saliva which she had been storing up to spit as soon as the train had cleared the station. As the train sped past the lighted part of the platform, Lady Lal spat and sent a jet of red dribble flying across like a dart.

The Shock

Sir Mohan's feet were glued [stuck] to the earth and he lost his speech.- He was stupefied, right?

He stared at the lighted windows of the train going past him in quickening tempo.- All he could do was to watch [stare] the train leaving the platform with increasing speed [quickening tempo] helplessly. 

Lachmi

The tail-end of the train appeared with a red light and the guard standing in the open doorway with the flags in his hands. In the inter-class zenana compartment was Lachmi, fair and fat, on whose nose the diamond nose-ring glistened [shone] against the station lights. Her mouth was bloated [swollen] with betel saliva which she had been storing up to spit [People who chew betel leaves store up their saliva, red in colour, to spit out at regular intervals. They avoid gulping it down for some reason unknown to me. Let me know if you have the reason.] as soon as the train had cleared [moved past] the station. [Lachmi seemed to be more sensible than many Indians who travel by the railways even today] As the train sped past [crossed at a high speed] the lighted part of the platform, Lady Lal spat and sent a jet of red dribble [a thin stream of liquid/saliva] flying across like a dart [missile].

An Act of Insult

Do you know that spitting at somebody's face is a way of insulting [or, showing hatred towards] the person in many communities across the globe?

The Title

What is your take on the title now, as you have studied the story minutely? Who do you think reaped the fruit of what was sown? Do you think Sir Mohan Lal deserved the humiliation because he used to humiliate others for no good reason?

Another Story

Would you care to read another story before you make up your mind? 'A Bride for the Sahib' is written by the same author, and may help you understand the author's perspective about an issue or two taken up in this story that we have just finished reading together.

I will be waiting eagerly to hear from you...