to their father. They made much ado about it but were calmed down when the old man came to his senses.''

The third incident was of a very poor family of two girls and their parents. It was a Diwali day when Baba set out to find a poor family to give a large sum of money. "Diwali" is the Hindu Festival of Lights and even in poor homes one finds a number of oil lamps lighted on that day. When Baba and the mandali set out on the search they found a street wherein all houses except one were brightly lit up. Baba entered the house and found two young girls praying to Lord Krishna to help them as their parents were both ill and they had no money for medical aid or for food. At this pathetic juncture, Baba entered the home and gave them a large sum of money. Krishna in the form of Baba answered their sincere prayers.

Talking to the mandali that evening, we heard of two interesting incidents. Once in Delhi Baba asked one of the mandali to find a boy to whom he would bow down and give some money. Baba said that the boy should be smart, spiritual-minded, one that respected his parents, and thirteen years of age. The time given to search for the boy was extremely short. The mandali member went to some schools and stood outside the gates thinking he would find some boy there. The boys were not prepared to go with an outsider. Some consented but their parents refused to let them be taken to Baba. The time limit was fast approaching and a boy satisfying all the conditions stated by Baba had not yet been found. The mandali member did not lose heart but tried with more courage for when Baba wishes to do a thing he would do it under any circumstances. At the last minute such a boy was found and rushed to Baba.

17th October. On this day, Cowas and I had to keep silent and fast from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Baba arrived a little earlier so that He could contact us before we started the silence. He said, "Do not speak till 8 p.m. I have come early today because of your silence." Baba then told us, "If by mistake you speak, do not worry, but don't speak again. I have to see to such minute details for everyone and yet I remain aloof from all activity."

Everyone including Francis was busy this day, as many articles on Baba had to be sent to the Madras Mail. This popular newspaper was bringing out a huge supplement devoted to Baba.

The talk drifted to ceremonies and rituals. Baba said, “More attention is paid in India today to ceremonies and rituals, particularly in the Hindu community." One of the mandali members told us a very amusing story of