Chapter 7 Summary

This chapter continues the readers' journey of discovery into the Smalleys' past. Lucy reads the letter from Sarah Layton, and launches into a string of memories and imagined happenings. Sarah discusses the lives and deaths that have occurred in her family as well as telling about all the children and grandchildren that have come since they left India. She also mentions a young student of her husband, David Turner, who will be visiting India shortly and may call on the Smalleys.

Lucy reads the letter twice and it brings forth many reactions. She is nostalgic for old Pankot and lonely for other English people, especially women. She is suddenly willing to face the fact that Tusker may indeed have another heart attack and not survive, which would leave her alone in India with uncertain finances. Her view of Tusker's ambitions is very different...