CHAPTER 18

Summary

• The chapter begins in 1935 in Madras, where Celeste recalls her Tamilian ayah, Janaki, singing a devotional song called "Suprabhatam". When Celeste's parents died, Janaki became her only family. When her children are sent to boarding school in England, Celeste becomes depressed and Janaki takes her to the famous temple in Tirupati, where her emotions start to heal.
• Celeste is now committed to servitude or seva, serving at the Madras Orphanage. Her husband, Claude, fails to recognize her transformation.
• Next, the scene moves to Celeste's driver who parks the car outside of Digby's quarters. A person named Muthu offers Celeste samosas and she compliments its taste.
• During the drive, Celeste and Digby share conversations about their pasts. Celeste expresses her bitterness about children being sent away to England for schooling due to the false belief that they would otherwise become weak or contract diseases in India. She is bitter about her own sons being sent away. Digby confesses that he too has never visited the great museums of Europe. They share an intimate conversation, and Celeste touches the scar on Digby's cheek.
• They then arrive at Mahabalipuram, where Celeste educates Digby about the temple sculptures called 'rathas'. She also recounts her first experience with temple art and how it led her to become a collector of art.
• Digby sketches the sculptural art and also sketches Celeste. When she awakes from her nap and sees the sketch, she verbally appreciates his talent and feels a strong urge to escape from her current life.
• Engaging in a deeper conversation, Digby shares that he used art as an escape during his childhood. A brief discussion about their beliefs and religions are shared. Celeste also asks Digby about his parent's death which distresses him. The question is left unanswered as Celeste immediately asks him to ignore it.
• The chapter ends with a sense of deep connection between Celeste and Digby. Celeste thanks Digby for a lovely day and bids him goodbye but with a vague sense of longing.