CHAPTER 76

Summary

• Digby watches Mariamma enter Saint Bridget's and is conscious of how different the place must be from what she is used to.
• They visit Lenin in a secluded room of the leprosarium, where he lies unconscious and severely emaciated.
• Mariamma examines Lenin to assess his condition and remarks on a facial paralysis that suggests a tumor on his left acoustic nerve.
• They attempt to lower Lenin's intracranial pressure by situating him upright rather than flat on the bed.
• Mariamma concludes that a tumor near the brain stem is blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and causing Lenin's unconsciousness; she suggests making a hole in his skull to tap one of the ventricles and drain the fluid.
• Following Mariamma's instructions, Digby helps her to execute the procedure, marking locations on Lenin's skull and using the twist drill he uses for long bones to create the hole.
• They successfully drain the fluid and are relieved when Lenin begins to show signs of consciousness, staring out at them, particularly Mariamma.