And I did something that made his material life worse and worse, by and by, though I told him then his worries would be lessened to some extent. Soon after, he was on the point of being prosecuted for murder, and his brother Abdur Rehman became very nervous. It was so funny — beyond words. He [Ghani] acted like one stranded between the third and fourth planes! He was constantly in a dazed state of mind. I questioned him and his answers were vague. I told him to leave everything to me and to do as I say. "Don't write," I told him. No sooner he goes out, than he writes wonderful letters to friends saying he is doomed and would have to meet a very unhappy fate!
Later on, Ghani lost all hopes of his material worries getting lessened. But this murder proved a blessing in disguise. The properties he would have lost he received back miraculously. So, for the first time Ghani feels some of his worries lessened. That is why he gives us this party tonight.
Naoroji, along with Padri, was busy in supervising the construction work going on in Byramangala. But on 7 March 1940, Naoroji came to the Links with a bad toothache. Baba was informed, and he instructed Don and Nilu to treat him. Don, with much difficulty, extracted two of Naoroji's teeth. But afterwards, the pain got worse and Naoroji was forced to lie down on a bed and could not attend to his work.
Baba asked for a report later that same day. After hearing about Naoroji's condition, Baba became furious and scolded Don and Nilu.
"Who told you to pull out his teeth? Are you doctors or barbers? Have you come to shave all? You are worthless good-for-nothings! I'm convinced that you had to bribe someone for your degrees!"1
For fifteen minutes, Baba went on berating them.
After an hour, Baba calmed down and sent Chhagan with a message, explaining to Nilu and Don, who were feeling terrible over displeasing Baba, "Don't worry. I had some other purpose in scolding you."
When Naoroji felt better, he left for Bombay for a few days.
Baba broke his orange juice-and-lettuce fast on Tuesday, 12 March 1940 and declared, "Between the 11th and 20th of March, something very sensational will happen that will affect the world and the war, and especially Britain." He therefore informed all that it would be necessary for him to fast again on the 20th.
Footnotes
- 1.Baba often referred to Don and Nilu as "barbers" — similar to the derisive expression common in the West of calling a surgeon a "butcher."