As a head clerk of a moribund government hospital, she could afford to be a clock watcher. At the stroke of five, despite bandy legs, she walked briskly to the bus stop, outside the Victoria Terminus, and waited expectantly for a podgy boy carrying a heavy school bag to cross the road and arrive at the stop. The boy gave a shy smile and she smacked a kiss on his chubby checks, her bright red lipstick leaving an imprint. The other boys disinterestedly watched this daily interaction. She bought his bus ticket (a full five paise) and started cajoling the child......