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Summary
Dr. Aziz had not gone to the Bridge Party. He had been very busy with some surgical cases. Dr. Callendar knew of it and felt in his heart of hearts that Dr. Aziz was indispensable. Still, he had asked Aziz to explain why he had not come in time when called for. He then left after losing his temper.
Even though Aziz promised to accompany Parma Lal to the Collector's party, he changed his mind of going to the party since he remembered that it was his wife's death anniversary that day. So, he had decided riot to spend the sacred day in profanity. In the beginning he had not loved his wife but her devotion and sincerity had soon captivated his heart. At home, he had taken out a photograph of his wife from one of the locked drawers and gazed at it. He had suddenly felt very depressed and forlorn. He kept back the photograph again.
In the evening, after tea, he called on I lamidullah but found that the latter had gone to the party. He borrowed Hamidullah's pony, breaches and mallet and went to the maidan to play polo. He found a soldier in practicing polo. He played with him and wished that all Englishmen were as good as the English soldier was.
Dr. Panna Lal was evidently offended at Aziz's breach of promise. He told Aziz that his absence at the party had been noted by the higher authorities. Outwardly, Aziz boasted that he did not care but inwardly he was worried and expected a reprisal.
On reaching home again, he found a letter bearing a government stamp on it. He surmised fearfully that it might be a letter of dismissal from the government service. But, on opening it, he was relieved. It was an invitation from Principal Fielding.
Aziz visited Hamidullah's residence once again to find out what had happened at the party. Hamidullah's had not yet arrived. However, Mahmoud Ali who was present at Hamiddullah's bungalow, made fun of the party.
Critical Analysis
This chapter throws light on two important aspects of Dr. Aziz's personality. He was a skillful doctor who had to undergo humiliation and insult at the hands of the boss, even though his boss knew that he was indispensable. Secondly, he loved his wife and did not marry after her death even though there was a great pressure on him that he should marry again. This chapter also reveals the haughty behavior of the Englishmen, except for Fielding, who seems to be coming closer to Aziz.