CHAPTER 37

Summary

• The chapter begins with Franz and Lena hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner in 1937 that also doubles as a commemoration for Rune's birthday. The guests include the Kariappas, the Cherians, Gracie Cartwright (but not Llewellyn), Bee and Roger Dutton, the Isaacs, the Singhs, and Digby.
• Digby has been staying at Franz and Lena's for three weeks and appears to be recuperating well from his past traumas. He has been accompanying Franz to various events and has even picked up sketching. Despite the progress, Digby is uncertain about his future post-medical leave.
• During dinner, Digby talks about his experiences with Rune, invoking both sadness and admiration from the gathered guests. To honor Rune, they toast and silently recall memories with him.
• The party continues well into the New Year, and the conversation eventually leads to the possibility of purchasing another estate, Müller’s Madness. The guests form a consortium with Digby and Cromwell appointed as delegates to negotiate with Müller.
• Two days later, Digby and Cromwell embark on their journey to meet Müller. Cromwell, being a part of the Badagas tribe, fixes an early engine issue and they eventually reach the base of Müller’s Madness.
• Müller’s Madness has a fraught history, with its namesake Gerhard Müller failing to capitalize on the property and subsequently "going mad". The current owner, Gerhard’s son Bernard, is keen to sell the property and return to Germany.
• Despite the difficult journey, Digby finds himself contemplating life as a planter rather than resuming his work as a surgeon or becoming a general practitioner. He decides that if Müller accepts their offer, he would take it as a sign that this is indeed his destiny.