Bapu wept and said, "I had labored hard the whole day and I had no appetite. That was the only reason that I did not join the gathering. I did not participate because of exhaustion, not to avoid the Untouchables." Baba forgave him and instructed Maruti to explain this to the villagers when the next opportunity arose, so they would not take it to heart.
A daughter named Shakuntala was born on the 18th to Chhagan's wife, who became quite ill after the delivery. Four days later, Baba directed Chhagan to take his wife to Ahmednagar and return after admitting her to the hospital. But Chhagan was in a bad mood and refused.
Baba asked him why he did not want to go. Chhagan replied, "When nothing avails, what is the use of going?"
"What do you mean nothing avails?" Baba asked. "Everything avails! You keep nightwatch by my side, eat vegetarian food, do not drink liquor and are not inclined to doing any evil deeds. Does this not all avail? Everything avails!"
This silenced Chhagan and Baba continued, "Mental upsets are present for all. Let thoughts come and go, but do not be anxious about them. Do not pay attention to whatever thoughts, however evil, might arise. Continue obeying me. This will set things right. Otherwise it will mean unnecessary harassment for you, and for me, also! If you want to be with me, you must obey my orders. If not, then go away!"
So according to Baba's wish, Chhagan took his wife to a nursing home in Ahmednagar, where his in-laws looked after her, and Chhagan returned to Meherabad.
Financial matters had been an ongoing topic of discussion in recent months. Elizabeth and Norina were having trouble raising enough capital for the film project and for the trip to the West, despite the recent donation from Elizabeth's friend. So Baba was considering canceling his visit.
He held a meeting on 19 May 1934 with Adi Sr., Pendu and Kaka Baria, in which he said, "If I do not leave for the West soon, some other place should be found where the mandali can shift. Continuing to stay at Meherabad is proving an expensive proposition, considering we have to employ four men just to pump water for the Upernas [women] staying on the hill. Then there are the villagers who come asking for food, and the 101 others to whom I am sending monthly support."
Dhulia was suggested as a possibility, where the mandali could be employed in a motor works, with Manekar's assistance. Nothing definite was decided, and Baba kept everyone in suspense until the last moment, when all arrangements for his trip had to be made hurriedly.