Mariamma, Elsie’s child, is now eight years old, and Big Ammachi adores her. Philipose has recovered from his opium addiction and is now a doting father, reading to his daughter in English. He has also found religious belief. When Big Ammachi asks Mariamma what she would like to do with her life, Mariamma thinks she might want to be a bishop. Big Ammachi says that she would have been a doctor if she had been granted the opportunity.

Lenin Evermore arrives at Parambil. The priest has written to Big Ammachi about the tragedy, and she has agreed to take the boy in—though it has been a year since this communication. Lenin himself believes that he survived because God was calling him to be a priest. He entered a seminary, but did not get along with the other trainees and priests. He was kicked out and tried to return to his family home, but he found that the landowner had burned down the village to make room for more farmland, leaving him homeless.

Big Ammachi and the others at Parambil quickly learn that Lenin is not the most well-behaved child. Mariamma, in particular, clashes with him, though she is also strangely fascinated with him. She herself enjoys breaking the rules—like swimming in the stream alone. Lenin, on the other hand, seems to want to conform to the rules even as he struggles to do so.

Meanwhile, Philipose’s friend Joppan has decided to refuse the offer to manage the estate at Parambil and instead works at sea, conducting trade. His status in the caste system makes it nearly impossible for him to gain a significant foothold in India. He has also been impacted by the growing influence of the Communist party in Kerala. The state will soon become the first place “anywhere in the world,” where the Communist party “won the majority of seats,” ultimately forming “the first democratically elected Communist government” (490).

The Malayali Christians have an annual meeting called the Maramon Convention; it has been held since the end of the 19th century. This year, a preacher from the United States has come to spread the word. Uplift Master has been called upon to translate. Lenin makes his way onto a bus to attend the convention. There has been more trouble for him at school.

The preacher begins his sermon in typical “fire-and-brimstone style” (495), which is not what the Indian congregation is used to. He admits to fornication and other sins, which Uplift Master mistranslates on purpose—this audience will not take kindly to such confessions. Instead, Uplift Master suggests that God wants a modern hospital in Parambil, that the district needs donations to make this happen. Big Ammachi comes to the front of the stage, giving all of her gold jewelry for the cause. Others follow, to “the astonishment of the clergy” (504).

Big Ammachi is thrilled that there will finally be a hospital in Parambil. Mariamma is swept up in her grandmother’s excitement and intrigued by the sight of 14-year-old Lenin Evermore. Mostly, though, Mariamma listens to her grandmother’s insights: Big Ammachi believes that she might have been able to save her husband or JoJo—most importantly, that she might have been able to cure the family Condition—if she had been able to get medical training. This belief inspires Mariamma, and when she leaves for college, “she will set her sights on medical school” (508).

Soon after Mariamma leaves for college, Baby Mol becomes ill. She has trouble breathing and must sleep sitting up. She recovers, but the incident upsets the balance at the estate in Parambil. Big Ammachi notices that the elephant Damodaran has not yet shown up, as he usually does at this time. His absence is unsettling, but not nearly as unsettling as Baby Mol’s lack of reassurance. Big Ammachi, noting Baby Mol’s prescience, has taken to asking her if she, Big Ammachi, will live through the night. This time, Baby Mol refuses to answer. Big Ammachi is now 79. She knows her time has come.

While Big Ammachi is sad that the elephant has not come, she makes her peace with Philipose and Anna. When morning comes, both Big Ammachi and Baby Mol are dead. Philipose silently mourns them before he announces the loss.