One should talk about something that had happened a few days before this chance encounter.
Deben was 17 or 18 years old. He was a first-year student, built strong and tall, aglow with youthful lustre.
That evening he was standing outside Star Theatre, two tickets in hand, waiting for someone. But when that someone did not materialise with one minute left for the show to begin, he set about looking for a suitable companion for the evening. He could spot no acquaintance in the crowd gathered outside the theatre. One boy caught his eye, but he was unknown to Deben. The boy was reading the playbills with great interest. Deben walked up to him and asked, “Hey! Want to watch a play?”
The boy turned his wondering eyes to him.
“I have an extra ticket. Bought for someone who hasn’t turned up. Would you want it? It’s a First Class seat.”
“Where, show me the ticket?”
The ticket was produced. The boy said, “But I don’t have money on me.”
“You don’t have to have money on you. This ticket will otherwise go to waste. If you watch the show, it will be put to good use. That’s my gain.”
The boy agreed, but added, “Okay, I can watch the play but only...