But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world. what promise does the author recall? in what context was this comment made and when ?
Answers
Anees Jung had promised Saheb she would admit him to her school when she would open one. However, after a few days when the narrator bumped into him, he asked whether her school was ready, she had no reply. She wanted to explain to him that building school required lots of investment.
The following conversation took place between them:
Saheb: Is you school ready?
Anees: Not yet! It takes longer to build a school.
She felt embarrassed because she had not been able to keep her promise with Saheb.
It was in this context she made this comment.
The author asked Saheb about going to school. Saheb explained that there was no school in his neighbourhood. He promised to go to school when they built one. Half joking, the author asked whether he would come in case she started one. Saheb smiled broadly and agreed to come. After a few days, he ran upto the author and asked if the school was ready. The author felt embarrassed. She had made a promise that was not meant.