We walked home as the sun fell behind the tall gloomy trees. On the way we met the husband of one girl who had been with us. "Where is she? What happened to her?" he wanted to know. When Baba had invited all of us to see His house, she and her husband were just ready to go back to town. The husband left, but the woman said "I just couldn't cross that bridge. I felt something tugging at my heart to turn back. And I was so glad I did go with you all." In such ways the Master intuitively draws His own.

Several other guests joined us that evening, asked by Baba to stay at the Center. Some were squeezed into the "Interview Cabin"—Stella Ferenz and her daughter, Carrie Ben Shammai from Israel, dancer Bunty Kelly. Peter Saul joined us, too, and Virginia and Harold Rudd took over the boat house on the lake with Baba's permission. Late that night there was a terrific electric storm. Bolts of lightning like pillars of fire plunged straight in to the lake. I awoke and thought of the two in the boat house and was glad I had given Virginia (who was carrying that "special soul") my raincoat. In 1952, too, there had been terrific storms at the Center. I'll never forget that one tremendous bolt that seemed a hair's breadth away. It came at the very instant Baba touched His foot to earth in getting out of the car, after His long day's work was done.

Thursday, July 26th

The dawn was fresh and clear but the forest about us was spangled with rain.

Each morning several of us in the Lantern cabin had made the most of our proximity to the Guest House and always stood waiting outside the gate to greet Baba as He got out of the car. Today five of us girls, each carrying a shining white clean garment of Baba's, walked out to the Guest House. Baba called us all inside and one by one gave each of us the coveted embrace. Baba appeared tired.

Ivy Duce, looking at Him and perhaps thinking of the lightning, said, "Baba, you worked all night!" Baba put His hands to His head in an anguished way and said, "Yes, I worked all night. You have no idea. I have the burden of the Universe on My head. I am very unhappy this morning." He gave no further explanation. After we left the Center, however, and saw the newspapers, we noted that this was the day the Suez canal was seized; also the day the Andrea Doria sank.