Plot Summary
- Beginning: The narrator, an Indian immigrant, tells the story of how he arrived in London in the early 1960s. After a brief stay in London, he moves to the United States to work at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Meeting Mrs. Croft: In Boston, the narrator rents a room from Mrs. Croft, a 103-year-old, fiercely independent, and old-fashioned woman. She holds strict, traditional views, but her reserved demeanor fascinates him. They develop a quiet, respectful relationship despite cultural and generational differences.
- The Narrator's Background: The narrator briefly shares his background: he is married to Mala, whom he met through an arranged marriage in India. He has not yet brought her to America, so he lives alone in Mrs. Croft's house.
- Mala’s Arrival: After some time, the narrator arranges for Mala to join him in the U.S. When she arrives, the couple begins to build a life together. The narrator takes her to meet Mrs. Croft, symbolizing a bridge between two worlds (old and new, tradition and change).
- Development of the Relationship with Mrs. Croft: Despite the narrator’s initial reservation, a silent understanding and respect grow between him and Mrs. Croft. Their bond grows through nightly rituals, especially when he confirms that the moon landing is “splendid,” which delights her. She praises him as a “perfect gentleman,” a turning point in their connection.
- End: In the final moments of the story, the narrator reflects on how his life has settled in the U.S. He has found peace and belonging between his new life with Mala and the memories of his past. The story ends with the narrator’s son, the next generation, who will grow up fully American, signifying the continuity of cultural adaptation.