'Going somewhere?' he asked Chandru. It is considered a bad omen sighting a Brahmin just when one is starting out. 'No... Yes,' said Chandru. 'Anyway, come in and sit down for a while before you leave,' advised the astrologer, that being the antidote for the bad omen. Chandru stood aside to let him enter and followed him. The astrologer sat down on the long swing in the veranda. Chandru went to the kitchen and announced, 'Lord Saturn is here.' 'What? So early in the morning?' his mother wondered. 'And on an auspicious Friday too! He has come in time for a meal, that's what it is. Where's your father?' 'I don't know.' 'Must have gone to Mr Nagabhushanam's, the guard, you know.' 'Let me go and tell him then,' said Chandru. Nagabhushanam's house was the one after Mr Mannas'. As Chandru went past Mannas' house, Morris called out, 'What, man?' Chandru nodded as if to say. 'Coming in a moment' and stepped into Nagabhushanam's.
