Franz-Josef Von Leinsdorf is a geologist absorbed in his work. A native of Austria, he has been in Africa for almost seven years, for the past five years in South Africa. He is much out in the field seeking new gold, copper, platinum, and uranium deposits. Living in Johannesburg, he is not married and has never invited any of the women in his office to go out with him. One day a Colored girl cashier from the supermarket (“Colored” distinguishes people of mixed blood from those of pure African descent) delivers some razor blades from the store to his flat across the street. She starts bringing his groceries two or three times a week and going to bed with him. She tells the caretaker and her mother that she works in Flat No. 718. Eventually she moves in. She sews for him, learns to cook for him, and he teaches her to type. They never go out together, except on Sundays, when they drive to the country where there is no one. One summer night near Christmas, three policemen come to the flat. They take them both to the station for examination by the district surgeon. They appear in court to meet charges of contravening the Immorality Act in a Johannesburg flat. They do not greet or speak to each other, and are acquitted because the state failed to prove that carnal intercourse had taken place on the stated night.