July 22nd. The great day dawned, a lovely sunny day. The ashram had been like a beehive from 5:30 a.m. Garlands were made and rooms cleaned. Everyone put on their best clothes. At 9:00 a.m. we heard the car coming up the hill, so we all lined up at the gate. Jean held a mauve garland, and I a white one. The car stopped and out came Mehera and Mani, but no Baba. Our hearts sank, but they smilingly told us he had stopped off at the men's quarters down the hill. The car went back and five minutes later, Baba appeared at the gate. He held out his arms and a beaming smile appeared on his face. We ran to embrace him and the years fell away and all our problems and heartaches. Time stood still—here was Reality. Only those who have had the felicity of being thus embraced can understand the extraordinary feeling of happiness it brings to be thus enfolded in love. He walked towards his room and at the steps, Masi was waiting to perform the ceremony with the cocoanut—symbol of sacrifice.

We were told to come in with Mehera and Mani. Baba said he was so happy to have us with him. We would stay at Meherabad for six weeks and during that time we were to rest, eat, not worry, and think of him, and when we moved to Pimpalgaon we would be kept busy all the time. He said he was very, very tired with the weight of the universe on his shoulders; but soon that would change and also conditions in the West. He continued, "Everyone is Baba, everything is Baba, and everywhere is Baba and all else is zero." He intended going on two mast trips. He was really happy with the masts, but the six weeks we were at Pimpalgaon he would be with us all the time. Discussions of work would take place from August 1st. All the other women were then called and he jokingly asked me if I still liked Eau de Cologne. This recalled my previous visit to India when I was always using it, owing to the very hot weather.

Baba walked around to inspect our quarters, and with that sweetness so characteristic of him said we were to have everything we really needed. He showed us the inside of the dome which had been built over the spot where he had stayed seven months in seclusion, taking only coffee. He inspected the rest of the ashram, embraced us and drove off. We stood outside the gate and watched the car disappear.

Not having seen him for so long we noticed quite a change. Physically, he looked more powerful and though the love and humor were still in evidence, we felt that the emphasis was on the impersonal aspect of God. His hair was less thick, and his face seemed very suffering at this period of working, though full of power.