which I observed, but did not like to mend until asked. Then came my opportunity. Meredith said Baba wanted me to mend his robe (was this not a case of knowing what was in my mind?). I fetched the needle and cotton. I asked for leave to put my hand underneath the robe to be able to sew it. This I did, with rather shaky hands. Baba smiled, and Meredith explained that this signified I should serve Baba in some way or other in the future.

After a little while the private interviews in Baba's room began. These Meredith arranged; he was always present and usually spoke for us. Baba sat cross-legged on my bed, with Ali or Chanji on the right to read the alphabet board. Meredith stood or sat on Baba's left, going in and out as new people came. Maggie Barton, my sister May, Mother and Father, Horace Fleming and Korzumi* saw Baba that first evening. While these visitors were with Baba, Margaret was again sent for to sit with him. She sat there for one-half hour, looking at Baba all the time. She felt very tense — unrelaxed — and she knew that Baba knew. Chanji was standing by and she said to him: "Does he mind me looking at him?" Then it was that Baba said, "It was your love that brought me." I too saw Baba alone that evening. I was impressed with Baba's long hair, and kindly face and man­ner. My eyes filled with tears. I spoke only of my brother to him, who was so soon to depart for China and then my time was up and another came in. Margaret and I then went down and had a meal in the large spare bedroom where the rest of us were to sleep. Father and Mother, the latter feeling a little at sea about it all, ate quietly in the dining room, on the ground floor.

After dinner we all met again upstairs in the white-walled study. Many had to sit on the floor on cushions, while my brother played his favorite records for Baba, especially Bach 's Chorale, "I Call Upon Thee, Jesus" and the Negro spirituals sung by Paul Robeson, "Steal Away, Steal Away to Jesus," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "What a Morning," and "Hear the lambs A 'Crying." This lasted about one hour. Baba left the study, went across the landing to his room and called my brother. Baba sat on the bed, with Herbert on the floor in front of him. Baba told him, "From now on you are to follow me and to work under my direct orders." My brother told me later he was overcome with intense joy and this happiness was marked by all when he came back to the study.

Baba spent one more hour with us this first evening. He asked for records — again we played spirituals. We sat on the floor in a circle. Within the hour, Baba motioned that we should go to bed for the early start to

*Koizumi is the correct spelling — Lord Meher