A perfect lady

Mala writes him a short letter, asking whether there is snow. One day, the narrator sees a dog tearing at the sari of an Indian woman in the street, and he realises that he must now protect his wife in this new country.

He rents an apartment for the two of them, and says goodbye to Mrs Croft. She simply locks the door behind him.

Mala arrives with her head covered, wearing bracelets, her feet dyed red. They eat egg curry with their hands. But for a whole week, they remain strangers, hardly speaking.

Then, on a walk, he takes her to visit Mrs Croft. The old lady has broken her hip, and had to call the police herself to get help. She tells him about the flag on the moon again, and the narrator cries, 'Splendid!' At this, Mala laughs for the first time.

Mrs Croft studies Mala closely, and declares: 'She is a perfect lady!' The young husband and wife look at each other and smile.

A shared laugh in Mrs Croft's parlour starts their marriage.