Baba returned to the barn and a few more came in before we all adjourned for lunch. After our usual al fresco repast, by 1:30 we were all foregathered in the compound outside the Guest House as Baba sat in the shade of the rose-covered fence. He asked for Ben Hayman. Mike Loftus, crouched beside Baba as usual with his portable recorder, volunteered to look for him, but fidgeted at leaving his precious bag. He asked Dick to watch it; then Baba said jokingly to Dick,

"What about Me? If you are not watchful, I will pinch it. I am the Universal Thief. I steal the hearts of all!"

His audience loved this—most of whose hearts were already "pinched." When Ben appeared, Eruch said, "Ben, Baba wanted you three times this morning!"

Baba continued: "All those who love Me have gone crazy! No doubt the sun is affecting the brain! Margaret was there in the barn requesting all the visitors not to waste time by asking Me questions. So after she must have said this to about 200 or 300 people, I just warned her, saying, 'Margaret, if you continue to say six sentences to them, you will have a sore throat .so try to keep lozenges just to soothe your throat.' Bili must have heard this and thought I had a sore throat, and she had better get Me some lozenges.So she informed Kitty . . .and Energy. . .

(It was a fact that Bili had run back to the kitchen and asked Kitty if there were any lozenges. Someone ran for a pack in their cabin, and Energy, on her trip to town, brought back six packets. At lunch, Kitty asked Baba how His throat was and the whole story came out.)

"That does not mean that I cannot have a sore throat. I do have sore throats," Baba continued, ''I do have colds. I am susceptible to all the ailments. Universal suffering I take on Myself, but at this moment I am not suffering."

"This morning Mrs. Duce and Don Stevens told Me, 'Baba, try to be ready at 12:30 because the TV program is arranged, and You will be wanted at 12:30.' After leaving the barn, I walked the distance to My house, and after a hasty lunch there, I returned to be here at exactly 12:30. Now it is 1:30, and there is no sign of either Don Stevens or the television people or Ivy Duce!"

Mrs. Duce stepped forward and said, "I'm here."