In this story by R. K. Narayan, a working-class father is tortured by guilt over his inability to spend time with his young daughter and provide her some of the luxuries other children enjoy. When the chronically overworked man asks for an evening off to take her to a movie, he is refused. He is on the point of resignation when offered a small raise that the family needs badly. In a poignant moment, he arrives home late and finds his daughter asleep, still dressed for the movie. Themes include childhood innocence, parent-child relationships, powerlessness, exploitation, financial struggle, sacrifice, guilt.
