‘Mrs Croft’s was the first death I mourned in America, for, hers was the first life I had admired; she had left this world at last, ancient and alone, never to return’—how do these lines encapsulate the bond that is possible between two strangers?
Narrator staying alone in a different country has developed no love or relation for anyone. He has been staying by himself and surviving for himself as his family was in India. But, in the story he meets Mrs Croft and develops a bond with her after coming to know that she was 103 years old staying all alone. He was also feeling inspired that she lived alone in a big house and was able to do all her chores by herself with the help of her daughter. He after coming to know of her age started to feel responsible and started to help her with help daily chores like making her soup. Thus, the bond was created between the two.