Summary

Sriram dislikes prison life. He is in custody under the Defense of India Act, and has been in jail for several months. Sriram gets to know his other inmates and the guards. The jailed inmates criticize Gandhi and his followers, claiming that when they go to prison they are treated like “honoured guests” and given a “bungalow with a cook and pocket –money…books to read and sherbet to drink” (532). Sriram gets angry, and defends Gandhi’s followers as “great patriots” (533). When they threaten him, he defends his right to say as he wishes.

During the nights, Sriram likes to think about Bharati. He has lost track of time and believes that he is “losing his identity” (534). The Fund-Office Manager from Kabir Street comes to visit him. Stunned by the sight of one another, they initially have no words. Finally, the...