Although Baba's health was suffering, he nevertheless would pamper Mohammed's whims and moods for hours on end. Baba explained once that he was like the masts' mother, so to serve a mast in this way was a profound joy for Baba. He was always happiest among the God-intoxicated.
There was some engine trouble which caused the ship to lose speed one day, and Baba sent Norina to Captain W. Gemmell, of Glasgow, to inquire when they would reach Bombay. Norina first talked with him about general topics and then casually asked, "By the way, when will we be reaching Bombay?" The captain told her, and she returned to tell Baba. He sent her back to ask the same question again. Upon her return, Baba sent her to the captain once more. Finally, the captain's frustration erupted, "Madam, what is wrong with you? You keep coming to me with the same question! Can't you remember what I have told you?"
When Norina informed Baba about it, he sent her once again with the same inquiry. This time it was too much for the captain and Norina retreated in embarrassed silence. What could she say? Even if the captain had swore at her, she knew it was nothing compared to the importance of obeying the Master's order.
Again Baba directed Norina, "For my work, I must reach Bombay as soon as possible. Go ask the captain if there is any way the ship can reach Bombay earlier than scheduled."
To avoid this confrontation, Norina said, "Baba, the poor man is already so exasperated with me ..."
But Baba replied, "You have no idea! I have very important work waiting for me in Meherabad, so do your part to help me in this. Request the captain to speed up the ship's engines so that we will arrive in Bombay ahead of time."
Reluctantly, Norina strode to the captain's quarters. Seeing her, the captain became quite irritated. Norina stood absolutely quiet, her heart beating in trepidation and, after a while she asked what she had been sent to ask. The captain was furious! To arrive earlier? Out of the question! Norina returned in turmoil.
Observing Norina's exchanges with Baba, Chanji was most sympathetic, as during previous voyages, he had been
made to pass through similar ordeals. Now it was Norina's turn. Similarly, he advised Kitty: "However much you
are battered about [by Baba], you must stand it." Kitty recalled similar words from Purdom, "Baba will try to
throw you off, but don't be thrown off."
The boat halted overnight at Karachi on 17 November 1937, and Pilamai and Silla came on board to visit. The Circassia docked in Bombay on the 20th, very much on schedule.