On Friday, 30 April 1937, the Westerners visited Meherabad and spent the night. The next day,
Baba took them and the Eastern women on a picnic to a grove near Arangaon. Sidhu and Pandu (a driver) remained at a distance on watch. Rano was still unwell and had stayed behind with Nonny, Will, Delia and Malya.
Before returning to Nasik, Baba took the Westerners to see the film Born To Dance at the Sarosh Cinema in Ahmednagar.1 In the middle of the film, Margaret suddenly got a terrible headache and felt nauseous. When she asked for an aspirin, Baba asked what was wrong. Margaret told him, but oddly enough, as soon as she said the words, "I have a headache and feel nauseous," the pain left her and she felt completely all right. The group had tea and cakes at the Sarosh Canteen and left at nine, reaching Nasik at midnight.
One group, however, consisting of Nadine, Malcolm, Ruano, Sam Cohen and the driver, did not make it back to Nasik that night. Their car broke down an hour from Rahuri and they had to spend the night under the stars.
The next day, Norina cabled Baba about those who were ill, and he cabled back that he would be coming to Nasik that night. Baba had especially come to be near Rano during her illness, for her case was the most serious. Baba arrived at 8:00 P.M. and saw all those who were feeling sick. The doctor said Rano had typhoid and Baba immediately arranged for her to be alone in the room next to Nonny's. The usual record playing sessions after lunch in the living room were stopped, since Rano needed rest and quiet. A diet was outlined for her and Baba put Ruano in charge of looking after her. Baba then walked over to Sarzat and visited Will Backett, who was also sick in bed. After sitting with him for a few minutes, Baba went out for a walk alone.
The next morning, Baba appeared concerned about Rano. He informed the group that she was seriously ill and repeated that he wished them not to disturb her, to keep a quiet atmosphere and not to visit her.
Footnotes
- 1.Born To Dance is a musical about a sailor who falls in love with a girl, played by Eleanor Powell, and features songs by Cole Porter such as I've Got You Under My Skin. When in Nasik, also, Baba would take the Westerners to watch a movie at the Circle Cinema.