Baba was. Did we know ourselves? Strange ideas take hold of Baba's people sometimes and all in the name of devotion and Baba's comfort!

So, this misunderstanding on Meredith's part caused a slight family upset downstairs, for my mother at least, and spoiled the enjoyment of the moment of Baba's arrival for her, because as Baba passed upstairs, she opened the dining room door ever so slightly to peep at Baba, and on Meredith 's order one of the party had to hastily shut it, so that she was not even able to see who was the "important and unusual guest," shrouded in mystery. I recall the phone call from Victoria Station from my brother (of course on Meredith 's advice) "have the meal ready in an hour and keep all clear on all floors, and have all quiet" This gave an unnatural atmosphere to Baba's arrival and was never again repeated.

Poor Baba! How he suffers from the misunderstanding of all of us, whose only desire is to do what we feel he would like, but which of coarse is partly "possession" or maybe pride, unconscious on our part, and an unwillingness to share him with others—that aggressive eagerness to serve!

Later, we were to learn that one must be willing to step aside, look on and see others serve, as we once had been privileged to do. From no one did we learn that lesson more forcibly than from Chanji and Kaka, who at this time had been with Baba 15 years or more; and later from the women mandali, when Baba took us to India to share their ashram life.

In a very short time the meal was ready—about 5:30 P.M. First Baba sat down at the table, then indicated where the next one should sit,—Meredith, Ali, Rustom, Chanji and Herbert. Margaret and I waited on the party. Very little was eaten of all we had prepared. Meredith would not let Baba take the junket (it being animal food) and fruit was no treat for the East, but the salad, radishes, rice and bread were enjoyed, and we had to rush out and prepare a second lot of rice. We did not realize that rice was their staple food. Alas, we did not grasp this for almost a year and went on serving our elaborate Western food, but they said little. Baba appreciated the spirit in which it was served.

Two significant incidents I recall. Baba first handed a grape to Margaret, upon which Meredith said  "Eat, this has a special meaning and shows Baba is pleased with you." Baba smiled and nodded his head. He then did the same to me. In time the meal was finished. We quietly cleared, while Baba and the boys retired to his room along the passage that looked out on to a quiet private park. Shortly after, Baba returned, dressed in long white trousers and over these a white robe. This had a slight tear, which I observed, but did not like to mend until asked.