The Inheritance of Loss

The judge dreams of Mutt’s death and is outraged when the cook appears in the dream to tell him the news. He wakes and says, “Don’t touch her! I’ll kill you!” (343). He repeats this sentiment to the cook later that day, blaming the cook for letting Mutt wander away. The cook protests, but the judge repeats his accusations. The cook questions if he did fail in his duty to watch the dog. Sai tries to find the cook and excuse the judge’s rage. Uncle Potty asks her to come over for a drink, but she continues searching.

The cook visits Thapa’s Canteen and tells patrons about the missing dog. They all laugh at Cho Oyu’s preposterous drama amid all the trouble in Kalimpong. Gyan, who has sitting in the corner of the canteen feeling guilty for betraying Sai, follows the cook outside. He asks about Sai, and the cook says she has been crying for Mutt. Gyan says, “Tell her that I promise. I will find the dog. Don’t worry at all. Be sure and tell her” (345). The cook doubts Gyan’s ability, but Gyan feels confident at the prospect of making Sai happy again.

Biju gazes at the mountains as the jeep makes its way along treacherous roads. In the conflict, repairs have been suspended, so the GNLF men must exit the jeep to clear the road of rocks and debris. The trip has taken a day, when ordinarily it would take two hours.

Biju notices the jeep is not traveling toward Kalimpong, and the GNLF men say they must take a detour. They stop and unload all the luggage. They tell Biju he must walk to Kalimpong and joke that they will send his luggage behind him. As Biju realizes they are robbing him, they tell him to remove his clothes and shoes and to hand over his wallet. He stands in his underwear, and local dogs gather around him. A GNLF takes a woman’s nightgown from a nearby clothesline and tells Biju to wear it. The dogs follow Biju into the jungle then abate as he progresses deeper into the dark, steep wilderness.

Biju sits down and thinks of those who told him not to stay in India and to return to America. He recalls his final meeting with Saeed Saeed, who fell in love with his friend’s Zanzibarian sister. Saeed says he will wait until he obtains his green card from his marriage, then divorce his wife and live in New Jersey with this woman. Biju feels forlorn and scared, and his injured knee aches again.

The cook returns from his search for Mutt. He enters the judge’s bedroom drunk from his trip to Thapa’s Canteen and asks the judge to beat him. The cook says he is a bad man, and the judge hits him on the head with his slipper. The cook refuses to leave and clings to the judge’s feet. The judge hits the cook as the cook confesses his sins, saying, “[S]ometimes I kicked Mutt I didn’t take her for walks just sat by the side of the road smoked a bidi and came home I’m a bad man I watched out for nobody and nothing but myself—Beat me!” (352).

Sai hears the beating and runs into the room, telling the judge to stop. The cook tells her to let him continue. The judge says he will kill the cook, and the cook says, “Kill me” (353). Sai stands weeping and wonders aloud what has come over them, but the beating continues.

Sai goes outside, seething with rage and sorrow. “Could it really be for Mutt’s sake…?” she wonders (353). Unbeknownst to the characters, Mutt was sold to a Kurseong family who want to be modern with a classy dog but who will later abuse and neglect Mutt. Uncle Potty will sell his and Father Booty’s properties. Mrs. Sen will knit Rajiv Gandhi a yellow sweater criticized by Noni and Lola. The sisters will continue killing bugs, and Lola’s daughter Pixie will marry a British man.

Sai stands in the yard, and rain falls. The electricity goes out in the area, and neighbors hurriedly light lanterns. Sai feels confused, ashamed, and heartbroken. She regrets her selfish search for individual happiness when there are others to be sad for. The judge and cook’s routine, despite this fight, will recur the following day. Sai considers all of this, remembers her parents, and with this expanded perspective she decides to leave Cho Oyu.

As Sai turns from the yard, she sees a pale figure in the distance. She mistakes it for Gyan or someone bringing Mutt home. Then she sees the pink-and-yellow dress of a woman, limping up the slope to a farther destination.

Sai goes to the kitchen and, seeing the battered cook, makes him tea. They hear the gate, and the cook rises to investigate. The person calls, “Pitaji?” (357), and the cook realizes it is Biju. The gate opens, and father and son embrace.