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Let's read the story to find out how Sudhir behaved at the party.

‘I won’t, I won’t, I won’t. He’s a greedy glutton and I won’t take him to the party,’ said
Leeladidi stamping her feet as she stormed out of the room. But she didn’t forget to hit
1
me hard on the head with her knuckles when she swept past me.

I screamed and began to cry. Amma came out of the kitchen.
2
‘Leela, come here!’ she shouted. Leeladidi didn’t stop. ‘Did you hear me? Come back!’
Amma commanded in a louder voice.

Leeladidi turned unwillingly and slowly walked towards Amma. I stopped wailing

and watched them anxiously. Amma started scolding
Leeladidi, but she kept denying she had done
anything. She argued, she pleaded, but it

didn’t work.

Amma gave her an ultimatum. ‘Leela,’ she said
sternly, ‘either you take Sudhir to the party or
you too don’t go.’

Leeladidi agreed reluctantly, ‘All right, but if
he behaves like a greedy worm, I’ll never, never

take him with me. No, never again in my life.’

I was happy I had won. I was about to smile
when Amma turned her angry gaze on me.

‘And you, mind you, if you don’t behave properly

I’ll give you a stern earful, understand?’

I just lowered my eyes and nodded. ‘You will not
touch any cakes or biscuits or chocolates without
my permission! Promise?’ Leeladidi wanted to be

absolutely sure I’d behave. I hesitated.

‘Promise?’ Didi asked again.

I knew she was trying to trap glutton: someone who eats a lot, more than they really need
me. ‘And… and supposing you knuckle: the hard or bony parts of your fingers (when you make fist)
don’t permit me at all?’ I asked. ultimatum: a very strong and final request
reluctantly: not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it
‘Oh, I will.’ earful: to tell someone how angry you are about something
permission: the action of officially allowing someone to do a
particular thing
1 didi is ‘elder sister’ in Hindi hesitated: paused before you do or say something
2 ‘mother’ in Hindi

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