Father Windhausen told him that since his name was on the list, he had to play or else he would be expelled from school. Baily had to join in the competition even though he had little athletic ability. Afterward, he found out that it was Merwan who had perpetrated this trick.
Merwan attempted to change his friend Baily, who was somewhat lazy by nature and did not pay attention to his studies. Baily was not popular with his fellow classmates and teachers, mainly because of his arrogant nature. Disciplinary actions were taken but did not have much effect, so the principal informed Baily's brother, Homi, that if his younger brother did not straighten out, he would be expelled.
Homi knew Merwan might be able to influence Baily, so he told him about the principal's threat.
Merwan immediately spoke to Baily, "Father Windhausen has told Homi that you will be tested today, and if you fail, he will be forced to consult your parents. The principal is threatening to expel you from school."
"What should I do?"
Merwan replied, "You will be tested after the noon recess; you must memorize one particular poem which I will show you."
Baily promised to do so. Without going home for lunch, he studied the poem in a quiet area of the schoolyard. He did not really care about having to leave the school, but he did not wish to lose Merwan's companionship. When Father Windhausen examined him later that afternoon, he asked Baily to recite only that poem. Baily passed the exam and Father Windhausen even praised him to Homi. Baily's teachers and classmates, who knew of his slothful nature, were amazed that he had passed. Baily was allowed to stay in school at St. Vincent's and attributed it all to Merwan's prescient advice.
Merwan was writing poems frequently and he wished Baily to become a poet also. Merwan would write the first line, asking Baily to rhyme the second line, and Baily would painstakingly try his best. Occasionally, the two friends would try composing a ghazal. They would go to a quiet, solitary place like the neighborhood shrine of a Muslim saint or to Parbati Hill about three miles southwest of the city where they worked together in solitude.
As mentioned, Merwan had a natural aptitude for writing poetry. Baily, on the other hand, was not thus inspired, and it was a strain for him to write anything meaningful.