No one trusted him and no one would give him a job. As noted earlier, Baily had a hot temper — he seldom could control his anger — and he would get into fights. So his relatives had no sympathy for him, and he was met with cold indifference. As the months passed, he tried to atone for his previous behavior, but the Zoroastrian community's attitude did not change. He was completely ostracized in his hometown. He became extremely depressed. Finally, after a bitter quarrel with his parents during which they called him a disgrace, he decided to commit suicide.
That same day, Baily's brother Homi went for a drink at Merwan Seth's toddyshop.
Casually Merwan Seth inquired, "Where is Baily these days? What has become of him? We used to write, but I haven't heard from him in over a year."
"Didn't you know?" Homi said. "Baily has been in Poona for a few months. He was kicked out of the navy for embezzling money."
Merwan Seth looked seriously at Homi and told him, "No, I didn't know. Go bring him to me at once! I will give you a free bottle of toddy. Bring him here immediately."
Merwan Seth gave Homi money for a tonga and he raced home.
When Homi arrived at Baily's room, the door was locked. Homi called out, but there was no reply. He pounded on the door, and Baily said, "Whoever is there, go away!" His brother identified himself, but Baily repeated, "Go away ... I don't want to see anyone!"
"Your old friend Merwan wants to see you," Homi informed him. "Open up! Come with me and we'll have a toddy with him."
"I don't want a drink!" shouted Baily. "And I don't want to see anyone! Leave me alone!"
His brother shouted back, "Merwan feels very bad that you have not come to see him since you've been in Poona. I am telling you, Merwan wants to see you. He is still your friend, you fool! You must come; he insisted that I bring you at once. Now open this door or I will break it down!"
A few moments before, Baily had been about to drink a cup of poison. He hid the poison and reluctantly opened the door. Before Baily could protest, Homi grabbed him and dragged him outside to the waiting tonga, motioning the driver to return to Merwan Seth's toddyshop.