Chapter 12 Summary

Nataraj questions his own innocence, creating scenarios in which he may have accidentally killed Vasu. Everyone, including the poet and Sen, avoids Nataraj. One morning, when returning home from the river, Nataraj encounters the normally evasive adjournment lawyer. Nataraj demands the money for the lawyer's invitation cards. The lawyer agrees to pay for the cards and anxiously walks away.

Nataraj, who is almost devoid of business, spends his time reading War and Peace. The poet passes by the fountain in front of the store. Nataraj runs to catch up with him and then invites him to sit in the store. The poet agrees, fearfully answering Nataraj's questions regarding recent news. Wanting to give the poet a gift, Nataraj removes the stuffed tiger cub from his desk and attempts to hand it to the poet, who refuses and darts out the door. Nataraj weeps...