“”Baba did not like her remark, reprimanding her, "You are useless! You have no sense! Your duty is to fulfill my orders!"
Baba was teaching Rano to dance to his every tune — with a buttoned lip.
“”At times, Baba would tease her, saying, "Why aren't you as good as your mother? Nonny is so sweet, why can't you be more like her?" — all as part of his work to crush her ego.
On Saturday, 21 August 1937, William Henry Warner, a well-known American novelist, came to see Baba. He said, "It is an honor and privilege to meet you." Baba indicated that he, too, was happy to see him.
Warner asked Baba, "For a long time, I have been trying to find out the actual definition of love. Can you tell me what it is?"
“”Baba responded, "Love means a life of giving without expectation of receiving any reward."
Warner was impressed with this pithy epigram, and Baba continued, "People must give and then receive. First give and then you will have all. But instead, people want to first have all and then think of giving. This is not the right way."
While in Cannes, one person whom Norina had been particularly anxious to bring to see Baba was the Russian ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky. Nijinsky had been the leading dancer of the Russian ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev (with whom Margaret Craske had also worked). Although considered the greatest European male dancer of the 20th century, Nijinsky's career was tragically cut short at the height of his career. At 29, severely troubled by schizophrenia, Nijinsky retired, and spent the next 31 years in and out of mental institutions. Norina had spoken with Baba about Nijinsky during the voyage to France. Baba had indicated that he could cure Nijinsky of his insanity, if he was able to stay with him for a few months.
“”But when Norina asked if she could pursue the matter to expedite his release and bring him to Baba, Baba's reply had been, "Let me do it."
On the 21st of August 1937, Norina read in the newspaper that Nijinsky's wife was planning to take him out of the asylum. Nijinsky, however, never did meet Meher Baba.
Later that afternoon, 21 August, Christine left for London by the 5:20 train. It was the last time she would ever see Baba. (She was killed during a German air raid on London in 1941.)
That night, Baba went to Monte Carlo with the mandali, Norina, and Elizabeth to see the casinos. Dressed incognito, he looked stunning; wearing a cape of Norina's and a French beret of Mercedes'.
