Final answer:
In the novel 'Nectar in a Sieve', Rukmani is thinking avidly of food while in the queue for payment after their last day of work.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Rukmani is at the queue for payment, after their last day of work, she is thinking avidly of food. This question pertains to the themes in the novel 'Nectar in a Sieve' by Kamala Markandaya, where Rukmani the protagonist often faces the struggle of poverty and the task of providing for her family. The characters in this novel encounter various hardships, and their thoughts frequently revolve around basic necessities such as food and money, which are essential for their survival.