“That’s all. The studies I’ve described to you are equivalent to your Intermediate course. Therefore, you should join the M.A. program. Now, you must decide whether you want to study Science or Arts. Since you wish to become a barrister, don’t even think about Science. You must choose Arts subjects. In this, you can study various languages and linguistics if you wish. Subjects like History, Politics, Economics, Art, Literature, Philosophy, and so on are closely related. There are twelve subjects in total; you must select them and complete four each year over three years. Then, you will be awarded the M.A. degree,” he said.

“So, that means the exams are only after three years?” I asked.

“That depends on your preference and patience,” he replied.

“In that case, if I study each subject thoroughly, the topics I learn in a given year will be finished within that year, right? Since there’s no need to revisit them, it’s easier to take the exams for those four subjects at the end of each year. Otherwise, if you insist on remembering everything, you can sit for all twelve subjects at the end of the third year. Though that’s a bit more difficult, it’s considered better. That’s called M.A. (Honours). So, you must decide based on your abilities. There’s also the added trouble of the barrister course. Can you handle both? If not, will you sit for the exams each year? Make a decision and go to the university tomorrow or whenever you can. Get an application form there, answer the questions, pay the fees—this is the very first thing you must do. Let me know your decision tomorrow or whenever you’re ready,” he said.

“Alright, sir. I’m very grateful. I’ve troubled you a lot. I promise I’ll keep coming to you with questions and continue to trouble you like this. With that, we took our leave and returned to our lodgings.

Recently, at my house—that is, at our Edinburgh residence—

The whole affair struck me as rather astonishing. Human nature, wherever you find it, seems to behave in much the same way in certain situations. Chief among these, of course, are the habits of cooks and servants.

When I first arrived here, I thought that just as the people’s bodies were so white, their actions too would be pure and spotless. I began to suspect, however, that this was not entirely true—perhaps it was merely my own fanciful imagination. From the very day I set foot in this country—not just in this country, but from the moment I arrived in Edinburgh—I stopped using the bundle of neem sticks I had brought with me, following Raja’s advice. Instead, as an alternative, I went to a local craftsman, spent an hour explaining my needs, and had him make me two silver tongue-scrapers. I kept one safely in a box and used the other daily. After brushing my teeth with paste and brush, I would leave the tongue-scraper in the bathroom.

This went on for some