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education and prospects.
    For some unknown reason, the courtyard was always relatively free of mosquitoes, which were plentiful at this time of year. If it was not raining, the family always sat out here before dinner. Uncle Lucky’s driver, Soma, and Amrith would carry two Planter’s chairs to one end of the courtyard for Aunty Bundle and Uncle Lucky. Then they would place a rattan table and three chairs for Amrith and the girls at the other end. While the adults had their drinks and caught up on their day, Amrith and the girls would play a board game — Chinese Checkers, or Carom, or Scrabble.
    Today, however, Amrith helped Soma arrange all the chairs together in a circle. The family was going to meet and discuss the upcoming birthday party. Both Selvi andMala were born in early September, two years and five days apart. They always had a joint party. This year, Selvi was turning sixteen and it was to be an especially grand event, the most looked-forward- to social occasion of the holidays among their friends. The monsoon storm last night, however, had created an obstacle to the upcoming celebrations, causing much anxiety to Selvi and Mala. If the roof was not mended in time, there would be no party.
    Once Jane-Nona had lit mosquito coils under the chairs and brought out a metal candelabra, the family took their seats and started to discuss the upcoming party. They had barely begun when they heard a car at their gate and Aunt Wilhelmina calling out in her fluting voice, “Hilloo, hilloo.”
    Amrith ran to open the gate.
    The old lady was Aunty Bundle’s aunt. She often dropped by the Manuel-Pillais’ for meals. Despite her enormous wealth, she was a lonely woman, being childless and a widow.
    When Amrith came out onto the road, Aunt Wilhelmina was still seated in her car, waiting for the driver to come around and open her door. Once he had done so, she stepped out. She had come from an embassy party and was impeccably turned out in a maroon silk dress, her handbag, belt, and shoes in the same material. A finely wrought ruby necklace graced her neck and she had on matching ruby earrings, broach, and bracelet. Her dark blonde hair was done up in a French pleat at the back and her fair European complexion, of which she was so exceedingly proud, was lightly touched up with foundation to make it even whiter.
    When she saw Amrith, she beamed. He was her particular favorite. “Child, when are you coming to visit me? All my silver and ornaments are in dire need of a good cleaning. And I refuse to trust anybody with them, but you. Now that you have your holidays, you must come.”
    “Yes, Aunt Wilhelmina, I will.”
    She patted him on the shoulder and sailed into the courtyard.
    “Ah,”
she said, as she came up to the family, “this monsoon certainly turns us upside down.” She kissed her niece on her cheeks. “How did you survive yesterday’s storm? All my bougainvilleas are in ruin.”
    Aunty Bundle told her what had happened to their roof.
    “Gracious,” Aunt Wilhelmina said, taking a seat among them, “how awful.” She glanced at the girls. “And with your party coming up, too. I do hope the hole can be mended in time. Roofers are as rare as hen’s teeth these days. My dear friend, Lady Rajapakse, has been waiting for a month.”
    The girls looked panicked.
    “Bundle,” Uncle Lucky said, “have you sent for the roofers?”
    “This very afternoon I sent a telegram to Gineris and his sons,” Aunty Bundle replied. “Don’t worry, they will come. Gineris has been working for my family since I was a girl. He will not let me down.”
    “Perhaps I should make inquiries about other roofers, just in case,” Uncle Lucky said.
    “No-no.” Aunty Bundle’s face set in a stubborn line. “I’m not letting any old roof-baas fix the hole.”
    They all looked at her doubtfully and Aunt Wilhelmina said, “I would search for other roof-baases. You never know.” She looked around at the children. “And what are you