This short novel captures the story of a vivacious, yet self-effacing retired professor who on being a paralytic, dies an almost lonely and heartrending death with the sophisticated members of the family abandoning him on one pretext or the other. The emotional intensity displayed by everyone in the family towards this lovable person gradually wanes and gives way to a sense of indifference. This is overtaken by resentment and anger against him. They fervently wish him dead. The novel has been made into a highly acclaimed radio drama. As a stage drama its appeal was equally massive.