some distance ahead and we followed in groups stopping to gather a variety of shells. Occasionally Baba stopped to let us catch up with him and showing keen interest, looked to see what we had found. Off again he sent us in search of better shells. Mehera usually found the prettiest, often the most delicate, and this Baba put in his pocket or gave in charge of one he felt was careful. We returned before the sun got hot at 9:30 a.m. Baba, leaving Mehera and the rest of us at the Guest House, proceeded with the men mandali to the Lagoon Cabin for the private interviews which continued till lunch time and often into the afternoons on the Guest House porch. A few of the women who met Baba for the first time were sent over after their interviews to meet Mehera and the eastern group at the Guest House.

Baba had daily talks with Elizabeth and Norina regarding the continued journey to San Francisco, Meher Mount in Ojai, and Los Angeles. Baba had proposed going by plane but this worked out as too expensive and plans were made for going by car. Ivy Duce had many interviews in connection with her Sufi work, etc.

During the first two weeks of Baba's stay at the Center there were no private interviews. Baba wished to be in seclusion and his wishes were obeyed. Not unusual, but I believe there were very many who had expected to be in Myrtle Beach for two weeks as first arranged. This, however, Baba changed to five minutes on the Open Day, May 17th.

In the afternoons, Baba suggested games outdoors. Margaret was always called when Baba wanted recreation with us or for us. This time it was croquet on the ground outside the Guest House. Did we play fair? Why ask? With Baba, it is not the winning but the fun. Would we have enjoyed the game if Baba had not won? Another form of recreation was boating on the lake. Margaret was chosen to take Mehera and the girls boating and teach them (to begin with) how to manage the boat. Later they went alone and Babe meanwhile would pace back and forth on the bridge that spanned one end of the lake, deep apparently in work. I felt nervous and I recall making the remark “But Baba, what about the alligators and grandpa alligator who is 14 feet long?" Baba put up both his hands and I understood him to mean, "They wanted to go, what could I do?” Foolish, I know, but in the very early days of Baba's visits to the west, I was always worrying if something or other would interfere with Baba's plans— some mishap at the passport office on landing or some