As a rule, I am afraid all of them will end up with a headache. I suggested that it would be much better if I simply showed them my face once and we could have a small gathering among ourselves.

“Your suggestion is quite good, but since we have already made all the arrangements, let us finish this assembly first. Afterwards, I will arrange a special meeting with the teachers. That too is a very good idea. Therefore, the day after tomorrow at four in the evening, either our student leader or a teacher will come with a carriage to fetch you. You must come with them. I will come as well,” he said. When I bowed to him, he placed his hand on my shoulder, led me out to the street, took his leave, and rode away in his carriage.

What is this assembly? What is this felicitation? Why has it come to me, O Lord? I sat there pondering these questions, when once again I heard the sound of a carriage stopping at the doorstep. I was just about to get up and go out to welcome the visitors when they entered inside. This time, it was two pleaders. I learned who they were—both senior to me, so I was not very well acquainted with them. As soon as they arrived, we exchanged greetings and sat down. They immediately stated the purpose of their visit.

“We have heard of your return. Among the people from our region who have gone abroad, you are the first. You are the very first to have studied overseas and returned as an M.A., Barrister. It is a matter of great pride for us that you are so closely associated with us in every way. Therefore, on behalf of our Narsapur Bar Association, we have come personally to request you to kindly honor us by attending a meeting and sharing some of your experiences abroad. Our president himself wished to come and meet you, but we told him not to trouble himself, that we would certainly persuade you and bring you along. He will preside over the meeting that day.”

They said, “You will surely be kind enough, won’t you? This evening, one of us will bring a cart and take you along.”

“Oh no, you needn’t—” I began to protest, but before I could finish my sentence, they stood up abruptly, cutting me off. “Please, do not say another word. Kindly forgive our insistence. We must take your leave now,” they said hastily, and hurried away.

That day, I was certain there was no escaping this yajna in Narsapur come evening. So, at three in the afternoon, I got up, bathed, dressed in my usual five-yard dhoti, put on a laalchi, and even arranged a shawl to drape over my shoulders. Expecting some students and teachers from our school to arrive, I was ready and waiting by a quarter to four, sitting prepared for their arrival. They had said they would come