After performing the opening ceremony of the new school building, he returned by truck to Meherabad in the evening.1
During April, Baba continued to give his constant company to the boys. Since he intended to go out on tour, there was the problem of what to do with the boys who remained behind. After being in such close association with Baba, it would have been traumatic for them to return to their parents. Yet at the same time, some of the parents might have objected if they had learned that Meher Baba was no longer residing at Meherabad. (Most of the boys were Hindus, and the main reason their parents were happy to allow them to stay at Meherabad was that they were under the direct supervision of a Spiritual Master.)
The problem was solved by a plan to teach the boys a technical skill. Baba decided upon printing, and Vishnu and Jalbhai were sent to Ahmednagar for a month to learn the necessary skills at Mohan Printing Press so that they would be able to teach the boys in Baba's absence. Baba even proposed setting up a printing press at Meherabad in the future.
On Monday, 22 April 1929, Baba went to Nasik for another three-day visit with the women mandali, and then returned to Meherabad. Chanji and Raosaheb arrived from Bombay on 1 May to report to Baba about the sales of Raosaheb's book, which were so far disappointing.
On Thursday, 2 May, the Prem Ashram was shifted to the Family Quarters near Arangaon.
Baba advised the children, "Remain here and continue your studies as usual. I will come back after some days. See that there is no disturbance in the routine."
Following Baba's instructions, Vishnu began teaching them the composing of type with the printing materials he had brought from Ahmednagar.
Shireenmai had come for a visit and left on 3 May, with Rupamai and Banaji Karani, and Bomanji's relatives.
On 4 May, Baba stated, "Buasaheb was a Chinese emperor in a previous life, and Jalbhai was his wazir [minister]. Both were opium addicts — and its effect is still there!"
The mandali as a whole were feeling confused, as no one yet knew where Baba planned to go on tour, or who he would take with him. On Sunday morning, 5 May, Baily complained to Baba that all of the men were fed up and bored.
Footnotes
- 1.The management of the school had inserted a full-page appeal for donations in the April 1929 issue of The Meher Message.