party at the Myrtle Beach airport. They had had a terrible time, and it had been necessary to charter a private plane, as the scheduled plane refused to fly. But Tex Hightower, Katherine Damon, Zebra Nevins and Sura Gesben were equally determined not to lose their interview with Baba. They arrived in Myrtle Beach with enough gas for only 15 minutes of flying, and it had been touch and go many times during the flight.

Baba saw the four next morning, first individually, then as a group. He embraced each one and then, telling them to sit quietly on the sofa, stood silently in front of them. Such love poured from him to them that they were deeply moved and came out in tears. Then he sent them off to catch the next plane, to be on time for their next professional appointment. I think they missed it. But did they really care? They had made it—the only appointment that really mattered. After they had left, Baba called us and said, "Their plane was in great difficulty and they were in danger many times throughout the flight." We then knew why Baba had focussed both his thought and ours on them throughout the day.

One afternoon, before leaving Myrtle Beach, Malcolm Schloss and John Bass spent quite a while in Baba's cabin. Baba spoke about saints and other people and said, "Bring me lovers of God and I will bow before them. Otherwise I will bow down to Myself," he added humorously.

A day or so before Baba left Myrtle Beach for California, he asked Elizabeth to take him and a few others to Youpon Dunes, her private residence on the ocean front, eight miles south of the Center. This visit was not without significance.

As we walked through the various rooms, Baba seemed very interested in the number of rooms. Was Baba thinking of returning here after California and not to the Center? No, that could not be, for the day before Baba had discussed with Meherjee, Adi and myself certain changes he wished to make at the Center on our return. Live more simply, manage with less help. Eat dahl and rice, and I to help with the cooking and the mandali with the work in general. Yes, it all seemed planned for our return to the Center.

A week later we were busy packing for California. On May 20th, Baba sent one car ahead with a few of the men mandali to Meher Mount at Ojai, California, to make arrangements with Agnes Baron for his arrival.