Chapter eleven describes Malgudi during a stifling summer heat-wave, which empties the streets of city during the evening. Swaminathan, Mani, and Rajam do not mind the heat in the least; however, and they find themselves discussing the events that recently occurred in front of the coachman’s house. Rajam says that Mani should have gone easier on Swaminathan, but Mani claims that the roughhousing was all a part of his plan that the other two failed to execute.

A cart begins to approach the group and they block its path, forcing it to halt. They harass the cart driver, Ranga, pretending to be police inspectors. They threaten to shoot the man and claim that his bullock is improperly washed. Having had their fun at Ranga’s expense, the boys eventually let him go, and Swaminathan issues the man a falsified road pass.

The third day of Swaminathan’s summer break coincides with a break in his father’s work schedule, which Swaminathan fears will interfere with his free time. As Swaminathan goes outside to play, his father begins to berate him for not touching his books and he forces him to read and study over his break.