Summary

A letter arrives from an old friend’s widow for Arjie’s father requesting employment for her 25-year-old son, whose role as a Gandhiyam relief worker has ended. Amma worries about this because the Gandhiyam have been known to associate with the Tamlin Tigers. Arjie’s father decides he will either hire or reject the boy based on his politics. A few days later, Jegan Parameswaran arrives to interview with Arjie’s father. Arjie’s father is ready to hire Jegan on the spot, for Jegan so closely resembles his father. Arjie’s father won’t hear talk of politics, even though Amma wants to know what Jegan’s politics are. Jegan is invited to move in with the family. He becomes like a son to Arjie’s father. Arjie, meanwhile, has turned 13 and is beginning to notice other men.

Jegan and Arjie...