Cochran's first nights. Mabel and I were excluded for no particular reason that we knew of, but later admitted.

In April Meredith asked me down to East Challacombe for a few days and was extremely kind and sympathetic. He left me alone a great deal and I went for many walks and enjoyed the good air and scenery.

The Purdoms, Dents, Tom Sharpley, and one or two others were there and it was restful. I got fond of Esther, Margaret Starr’s sister, who is a wonderfully good hardworking soul. Meredith never asked me questions about myself, and altogether behaved in a very natural kind way. Before I left, Meredith said he wished me to meet Baba at Dover when he arrived with Ernest Davy, but that Kitty was not to go, in fact no women were to appear. This was the first sign of jealousy of the members of "Kimco" which later assumed such proportions that they dwarfed everything. Margaret Starr did a great deal of work, especially in the kitchen. She seemed a very capable, kind, and good-hearted person, and to be devoted to Baba. She was a complete echo of Meredith, who used to correct her openly at table regarding certain dishes, etc.

A week or ten days after we returned to London, Baba was due to arrive, and Kitty in defiance of Meredith's orders motored with Ernest and myself to Folkestone to meet Baba and His party. We started in a car at 9 A.M. and reached Folkestone about 11:30. After buying some flowers, we went down to the docks, but when the boat arrived there was no Baba or party. We then found the next boat was due at Dover a little after two, so we motored there, had some lunch and met the boat — relieved at finding Baba and the boys were on board. Baba arrived with his two brothers, Adi and Behram, Dr. Ghani, Kala, Chanji, and I believe Adi Irani. Some of the party went on to London by train, and Baba motored with Kitty, a few of the boys, and myself. Just outside Maidstone we stopped at a roadhouse and had some tea, but Baba scarcely touched anything. On the way to London, Baba asked me if I would like to go to America with him, presumably in some weeks' time. Of course, the idea of this delighted me, and although I was still engaged in stage work I made arrangements to give up my rooms in Gloucester Place and settle up things generally. We arrived at 32 Russell Road about 5:30, where most of Baba's devoted friends and followers had arrived to greet him. Margaret and Meredith Starr had not.

For the time being it was arranged that I should work for Meredith — secretarial work — on the visit to America. The arrangements for Baba's visit were in Kitty Davy's hand and all went off very smoothly and well. The days passed in interviews with the press, private interviews, visits to the theatre and the cinema — which Baba always loved best — and, of course, many visits to Cooks and passport offices, etc.