Baba frowned in annoyance, saying, "Of course, what I say applies to all. This train will not arrive in Bombay."
"Perhaps not, maybe it will proceed to Persia or Turkey instead!" Ghani joked.
Baily intervened, "But Baba, if the train will not go to Bombay, then where will it go?"
"It is possible it might return to Poona!"
For his companions, it was difficult to believe that the train would turn around after covering only a short distance, when there seemed no reason to do so.
Ghani scoffed derisively at Baba's words, "Nonsense!"
Baba remained quiet in response to Ghani's protest, but Baily prolonged the topic, saying, "Ghani, Baba must have some sound reason for saying this. Why else would he declare such a thing?"
Ghani remarked, "You seem to be an idiot also! Don't you know that Merwan was asleep when we left Talegaon?"
"Certainly not!" Baily retorted, "He was absorbed in his thoughts at the time. But what does your remark have to do with my question?"
Ghani said, "If your brain was not full of sawdust you would have noticed that it was after leaving Talegaon that he spoke of such a ridiculous event. He was abruptly awakened. What he was talking about was only a dream he had. So it would be better if you just forget what Baba said!"
Baba interrupted, "Undoubtedly you are right that I spoke after leaving Talegaon, I admit that. But I will tell you further that we will have to go back from Neral!"
"Merwan, please end this unpleasant conversation," Ghani burst forth, irritated, "or else I will soon be accompanying you to a lunatic asylum!"
Baily started thinking that Baba was purposely playing a trick on Ghani. Ghani agreed that to pass the time Baba was indulging in a joke.
The train arrived in Lonavla and continued on to Khandala on schedule. Torrents of waterfalls from the Khandala hills were rushing into the valleys below and the lush green scenery was a beautiful and refreshing change from the city. The train steamed ahead, passing through the mountain tunnels and arriving in the town of Karjat. There the two engines pushing the train from behind disconnected and the train continued its course, descending toward Neral.
By this time it was raining heavily, and the showers did not let up the entire way but increased as the train approached Neral. Ghani and Baily started wondering if perhaps the train might be delayed.