Summary

“The Outfit” continues where “Wales” left off. After Sir introduced them, Pat Ingoldby and Eddie became inseparable. “Ingoldby’s wit and logic expunged the nightmares of Eddie’s past” (52); his stutter healed. Pat’s parents, Colonel and Mrs. Ingoldby, invited Eddie to stay with them during school holidays. The Ingoldbys owned a large house, called High House, and a carpet factory down the hill. Soon Eddie became an honorary member of the family.

“Mrs. Ingoldby was Eddie’s first English love” (53); he found her loving and uncomplicated. However, Mrs. Ingoldby told Eddie that she was also a Raj orphan, with a difficult childhood of her own. Eddie asked Pat about his mother—why she was not bitter when everyone had been so awful to her. Pat told Eddie that her temperament was an act, a part of her upbringing, and...