vibrant youth.

Baba first asked that we all return and keep Silence with Him on the evening of Saturday, July 28th, in the barn at 7 p.m., and to be sure to be present. Someone then asked if any of those coming locally for His darshan should also be asked, and Baba decided that all those who had traveled to Myrtle Beach to contact Him should be present and named a few others who lived nearby.

He then asked where the Dimpfls, who had come from California, were staying, and on hearing that they were in a motel, Baba invited them to the Center—the first of many spontaneous guests. He then discussed the “snake" question, for the woods at the Center, like all country regions, have some poisonous snakes. He told us to be careful and to wear the right shoes—no open-toes! He said that if we did see a snake, to say "Baba!" and it would not hurt us. Even if we stepped on one, but remembered to say "Baba” it would not harm us. But if we wore open-toed shoes, and said "Baba!" it would not go away. And if we did not pay heed and one did bite us, He would drop us into the lake!

He then asked Kitty to tell the story about her days in India when the disciples, in order to tease her, had created a fake snake out of dough and paint, and how she dashed bravely out to kill it, kitchen knife in hand, to the merriment of all. Kitty repeated the story, ending with, "And from that day on, I was never afraid of snakes, or unable to kill one when necessary”. Baba has said on other occasions, that a snake can only pass into the next evolutionary form by being killed by a human being. (It is said in India that some cobras when they get very old come out where there is a likelihood of being killed by a human).

After this we followed Baba outside. He went over and sat down under a pine tree while Eruch held the umbrella over Him and the three other mandali stood about. He called first one and then another over to Him from the group, discussing problems or giving each one a little personal darshan, while the rest of us stood a short distance away, feasting our eyes as usual on His beloved Presence. Charmian and others with cameras made the most of Baba's repose. Then the Master left for His own house in the cream-colored station wagon driven by Elizabeth, and we saw no more of Him that day. We walked back to the circle, where the bus was waiting for those staying in town. The rest of us, after a delicious vegetarian supper,