Meredith was fond of fruits and would often try to induce Baba to eat them.
But Baba commented, "Neither I, nor Babajan, Upasni Maharaj or Sai Baba like fruit. Ramakrishna never touched it."
Meredith asked the reason, speculating, "Maybe Masters already have the best qualities in themselves, which are in fruits, so they do not need to eat them. Isn't it like that?"
"Yes," Baba replied, but added that fruits were healthful and good for the blood.
On 25 October, after a tea party at Enid's apartment in Pensione Agostini in the afternoon, Baba and his companions left Milan on the 6:40 train. The group arrived in Genoa after two hours and stayed at the Milano Terminus Hotel .
In an attempt to feel important, Meredith would tell officials and hotel staff that Meher Baba was his friend, and Chanji and Aga Ali were his personal servants. Meredith's behavior was a headache to Baba, because Meredith was unnecessarily telling people about Baba when Baba wished to remain incognito. Consequently, Chanji was harassed with many inquiries from the curious. Nevertheless, Baba tolerated Meredith's behavior as he wished to use Meredith for his own purposes. Through Meredith's communications, certain key persons in England had come in Baba's contact, but that work was now almost complete. However, until it was finished, Meredith's presence was necessary and tolerated.
Another tea reception was held in Baba's honor on the afternoon of 26 October, where Baba met a few sincere and loving local devotees. One man named Douglas resembled Padri, Baba remarked.
Baba, Meredith, Ali and Chanji boarded the SS Roma at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, 27 October 1931, bound for New York City. The cabins they were given (400 & 421) were cramped and uncomfortable; but the next day, after leaving Naples, they were shifted to two outward facing, spacious cabins (272 & 274). Meredith introduced a young woman from Toronto named Louise Skey to Baba. Louise was quite taken with Baba and visited his cabin several times.
Besides Meredith's annoying behavior, at times during this journey Aga Ali would also behave like a spoiled child. One night Ali lost his temper and created a disturbance in Baba's cabin, whereupon Baba soundly thrashed Chanji! Seeing Chanji being beaten frightened Ali and the boy realized his mistake.
Even though Ali expressed his regret and apologized, Chanji continued to weep. Within moments of this incident, Louise appeared on the scene.