He had the car stopped and gave each an orange. The boys were delighted and hailed Baba in their native language.
Newspaper reports began appearing about the possibility of war erupting between Germany and France.
On 14 March, Baba commented, "It is definite that a war will break out in which the whole world will be involved. But it would be better were it not to start just now."
He added, "The instant war begins, my work will also begin."
Since Baba was observing a more strict seclusion, he had not written to the Westerners for some time, but on 16 March 1936 he sent this letter:
My Beloved Selves,
It has been a long silence — silence that has been a severe test for you all dearest, as I alone know. But it has its great purpose served, and I am so glad.
This silence in its long spell taught you a great lesson — the lesson to suffer. Very keenly at times, I know. But if that suffering has made you think of your Beloved all the more, if it has brought you closer in love, I am delighted. I know it has, and am not only delighted but happy, for so much of your work done, for so much of the "progress" made ...
It was during this period of your suffering that we enjoyed each other's company the most through inner communion. For I listened with no small delight to the throbs and music of hearts that wished to convey their voice and message to me at all times.
To different ones in America and Europe, Baba wrote:
If you only knew how "silence speaks more than words," you would welcome such a silence a hundred times more than spoken or written words. For it is during such periods of prolonged "silence" that hearts united in love, such as yours for your Beloved, are drawn closer — the inner communion held more frequently. And it was during this silence that I felt the heartthrobs stronger and deeper, longing for the love that is to be ultimately yours.
Baba clears the way for you, dearests, and walks in front. Won't you, beloveds, follow?
And whilst you thus follow him on this path of Life, Light and Love, won't you keep your faces smiling and feel happy and cheerful? For you are moving with me in an onward march toward the life where I know eternal peace and ineffable bliss awaits you!