"From Miraj the party went directly to Bombay, where a number of contacts concluded, for the time being at least, Baba's work with masts, saints, and the poor, and the whole party returned to Mahabaleshwar on December 6th."

Baba returned to Mahabaleshwar from this tour before Christmas. How well I remember that Christmas! We went into the jungles that surrounded our villa and dug up a small evergreen tree to place on the living room table. Mehera and Mani, with Meheru assisting, made all its paper decorations. Mani insisted I make an angel for the top of the tree. The tree looked beautiful and I can still see that sweet, gentle smile on Baba's face as he stood by it on Christmas morning. Rano and Naja made their contribution,—a table decoration. It was a wonderful cottage made out of cookies, icing and sugar. A face peered from one of its windows. It was lit up from inside by some quite simple contrivance, for we could not buy materials. Up the lane to the little house trotted, I believe on the snow, a deer. There in the middle of the jungle, Baba had this wonderful surprise—a Christmas tree and a wintry Christmas cottage! It is these small things which bring that not-so-frequent smile to Baba's face when suffering is acute.

Then followed the "100-Days' Seclusion," beginning February 13th, 1951, at Mahabaleshwar. Just the day previous to this seclusion, Baba called a meeting at which all the Servants were present and told them that they were all to continue to stay with Baba as his Servants until June 10, 1951. After that, all would be free from the bindings of the New Life except that they must obey certain standing orders (about 8) which had been given from the commencement of the New Life.

Of this seclusion, Baba said: “. . . (it) will be unique of its kind because it will concern his New Life Oath and his desired ultimate achievement. It will be a partial seclusion, and unlike the Old life seclusions, Baba does not desire to confine himself for the entire day."

So crucial was this period of 100 days, especially the first 40 days, that Baba said afterwards, "Without the help of God I could not have gone through this ordeal successfully . . . It was as if God wanted to prove His help to me by giving me suffering as well as the strength to endure it . . . I also feel that the prayers and invocations dictated by me