because of this, and tooth hurt him, so he couldn't work that evening. Baba called Nilu and me over that same evening, and on hearing about Naoroji, gave first me and then Nilu a really bad "purgative" as a dressing down is called by the Mandali, the worst by far I've ever had so far, all very depressing outwardly, although in a curious way it makes one inwardly love Baba more, and seems to bring one closer to Him in one painful leap. Anyhow He granted pardon soon and even sent Chanji over an hour later to tell us not to worry. Next day, He told us Nilu comes on tour in the bus which I am to d rive, through Gersoppa Goa and up the coast for a month. Baba says He is building the hut at Mandla because He had a spiritual link with it in the past.

13/3/40   Two days ago, Baba made me take round a notice to all the Mandali stating that between March 11th and 20th, both dates inclusive, something would occur of great importance affecting the world war most seriously and especially Britain and so we all must fast on March 20th with up to two cups of tea morning and evening, and ice cream, one plate, at mid-day: all the women are fasting too. Today comes news of the Finnish armistice, apparently, so that and developments on it may be it. This evening one of the Masts at the Links cut his leg from a fall and I put two stitches in. Baba this evening did bends and stretches in His room, in front of two of us who were there, to reduce His stomach, and making us do them too. Baba is really very anxious to get off now and there are only two weeks left to pack the dispensary and all; it should be an interesting trip.

17/3/40    He told Kalemama* to sit in his room and think of Baba and not of Byramangala at all for half an hour; his mind runs on so out of control these days. Baba got me to examine Mrs. Kotwal and her son yesterday and I've to report about her tomorrow. At any rate she's not coming on the tour, which is good. Baba yesterday made me write the dates we would be at Goa on my white trousers so that I wouldn't forget when to ask the collector. The Swami Mast with the cut lip, keeps on pulling at the horse-hair stitches, thinking his moustache is getting big and long.

20/3/40    Yesterday I took Dattu's sister for chest x-ray, as our Ahmednagar Dr. said she had T.B.; fortunately this is not so, x-rays show the lungs quite O.K.

25/3/40    Last few days I have been very busy with Nilu away at Adi's house and no dispensary boys, and I have the impression that Baba wished me to be busy, and continually pestered with unexpected jobs, so that patience at times wore very thin. Very good for me, no doubt.

Aiyangar brought his younger daughter to be initiated by Baba two days ago. Baba very sweet with the child, and very radiant. Although I see a lot of Baba these days, I get the impression that He no longer takes the trouble to be extra nice to me, to flatter me, but treats me much more like the other Mandali, which is really a big compliment, to work for Baba and not be praised or thanked; that is the best thing. We are all rather anxious to leave here, and looking forward to the start of the tour next week: I shall be driving the bus on the tour which theoretically will last six weeks. We get to Meherabad 15/5/40.

27/3/40    Yesterday morning Nilu and I had a bit of a crisis with Baba; Baba had been "poking" us both over "Nargis Kotwal", so we had some straight talk back. A straight talk with Baba is so very refreshing, He never evades anything, and never harbors any

*Nalekhama with a (?) next to it is on the original Awakener page. This must be a type-setting error, as there is no such person, and Lord Meher online says the name of the perosn is Kalemama, so I changed it.-webmaster JK