A Passage to India Page #3

know that lndia's a muddle.

Agreed, I'm sorry to say.

There will be no muddle

when you come to visit me at my house.

That would be very nice. Yes, Adela?

Yes, indeed. Do please give me

your address, Doctor Aziz.

- Yes?

- One moment. I have a better idea.

Let me invite you all

to a picnic at the Marabar Caves.

Ladies, this will be

a most magnificent outing.

One is transported by mountain railway

2,000 feet above the plain.

And the caves, Mrs Moore,

are a wonder of lndia.

- Yes, Professor?

- They have a reputation.

Doctor, how many caves are there?

I'm not exactly sure. Unfortunately,

I've never been there myself.

My dear chap!

Professor Godbole,

have you seen the caves?

Oh, yes.

Well, could you tell us

something about them?

With pleasure.

Only a few have been opened.

Perhaps seven or eight.

And?

There is an entrance which you enter,

and through this entrance, manmade,

there is a circular chamber.

- Big?

- Not big.

- lmmensely holy, no doubt?

- Oh, no, no.

Ornamented in some way?

They are all the same. Empty and dark.

Well, there must be something

to account for their reputation.

lndeed.

Well, well.

Mr Fielding, I should like

to see something of the college.

Don't you come, Adela.

I know you hate institutions.

You know, Miss Quested, when I first

saw Mrs Moore it was in the moonlight.

I thought she was a ghost.

- A very old soul.

- An old soul?

The professor is using

the expression in its Hindu sense.

Someone who has been here

many times before.

- Mrs Moore - a reincarnation?

- Quite so.

- Please go on, Professor.

- Ah, yes.

- It is philosophy of some complication.

- But in simple terms...

In simple terms, Miss Quested,

life is a wheel with many spokes.

A continuous cycle of life:

birth, death and rebirth

until we attain nirvana.

I have contrived a dance

based on this philosophy.

Do you dance, Professor?

- Adela.

- Oh, Ronny, you're early.

Let me introduce to you

Professor Godbole and this...

What's happened to Fielding?

And what on earth are you doing?

They're seeing the college and

we're eating water chestnuts. Have one.

No, thank you. We're leaving at once.

- But we can't leave like this.

- It's perfectly all right.

Bearer! Bearer!

(train whistle)

You can take it from me

that picnic will never come off.

Just like that fiasco this morning.

He'll forget he invited you.

- You're wrong.

- Notice the collar climbing up his neck?

I like Dr Aziz.

Aziz was dressed in his Sunday best,

but he'd forgotten his back collar stud.

And there you have the lndian all over.

I bet he forgot the caves

are miles from the station.

- Have you been to them?

- I know all about them, naturally.

- Naturally.

- I really cannot have this quarrelling.

Sorry.

I don't know why I get so het up.

Actually, I was taking us all

to see a game of polo. Should be good.

Not for me, dear. I'm going to rest.

You and Adela can watch the polo.

- Ronny.

- Yes?

- I want to say something.

- Yes?

Something important.

Ronny...

I've finally decided...

we're not going to be married.

You never said we would be married.

But you were quite right to come out.

It was a good idea.

We're being awfully English

about this, aren't we?

I suppose that's all right.

As we are English, yes, I suppose it is.

Let's go for a little drive.

- Oughtn't we get back to the bungalow?

- Why?

I think we should tell your mother,

talk about what we're going to do.

If you don't mind,

let's leave it a day or two.

I don't want to upset her

any more than I have.

And besides,

you're going on that expedition.

And why did you undertake

such an extravagance?

To avoid asking them to my house.

Which you had already done.

Now we must all put

our shoulders to the wheel.

My wife will supply plates,

knives and forks.

And then there is the question of alcohol.

Whisky-sodas for Mr Fielding,

ports for the ladies.

And food. The English are big eaters.

- And Professor Godbole?

- He eats more than the English.

- Nothing but vegetables, fruits and rice.

- And only if cooked by a Brahmin.

And if there is a slice of beef

in the vicinity, he will throw up.

The English can eat mutton.

- Even ham.

- Ham? Are you suggesting I offer ham?

Enough, enough.

English ladies cannot sit upon the ground.

Not even on a Persian carpet.

- You must take chairs and tables.

- So you will need servants.

Then there is also the question

of transport after the train journey.

The caves are a considerable

distance from the station.

I've just been to the station.

The train leaves before dawn.

Then you must take precaution

against lack of punctuality.

Better spend the night there.

- What was that?

- Nothing.

It always happens before the hot weather,

generally with dust and thunder. Coffee?

No, thank you. I'm off to bed.

I know I made myself

rather ridiculous this afternoon.

But the truth is, I wasn't

quite sure of myself, and I'm sorry.

Very nicely said. Thank you, dear.

Of course, I have no earthly right to tell

either of you what you can or cannot do.

See lndia if you like and as you like.

Sometimes I think too much fuss

is made about marriage.

Century after century

of carnal embracement,

and we're still no nearer

understanding one another.

Good night.

(dogs barking)

(bicycle bell)

Adela, are you all right?

Yes, of course.

- Well, what happened?

- Nothing.

I want to take back what I said at the polo.

Oh, Ronny... I'm such a fool.

(orchestra plays "Oh, Lady Be Good")

It's a funny thing,

but I don't feel a bit excited.

Well, nothing's really changed, has it?

I feel perfectly ordinary.

It's much the best feeling to have.

I suppose so.

I'm sorry to have been so difficult.

Oh, I shouldn't worry.

It's partly to do with this country

and the odd surroundings.

Do you mean that my bothers

are to do with lndia?

lndia forces one to come

face to face with oneself.

It can be rather disturbing.

Odd.

It must be very cold in England.

Now we must go back

and you must dance with Ronny.

Apart from anything else,

it will serve as a notice of intent.

Hello.

(rumble of thunder)

(groans)

Hassan.

(both speak Urdu)

- It's going to be hot.

- Your famous hot weather.

- Mother?

- You two go ahead.

Ah!

Congratulations.

We've just heard the good news.

Allow me to shake your hand.

Mr Fielding, I'm Dr Lal.

- Ah, yes. How do you do?

- Just making check on doctor sahib.

- Major Callendar's orders.

- And?

A slight fever, perhaps.

Change of season.

- You must get well quickly.

- Yes. There is talk of cholera in the city.

There is always talk of cholera in the city.

Hello! Can I come in?

Mr Fielding. Yes, please come in.

Ah.

- Hamidullah.

- Mr Fielding, how nice of you to come.

- And how's the patient?

- It is very good of Mr Fielding

to condescend to visit our friend.

We're deeply touched.

Don't talk to him like that.

He does not want it.

And he does not need three chairs.

He's not three Englishmen!

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