When the train arrived at the platform, there was the usual scramble for accommodation, and Eruch efficiently made Baba sit in the first-class coupé and briskly loaded their luggage inside. Thereafter, by flashlight, he signaled the other mandali at the other end of the platform that all was well and that he was boarding the train. The train started and Eruch began arranging the luggage in the small compartment. After a few minutes, Baba asked Eruch what happened to Gustadji. Eruch looked throughout the train and, failing to find him, thought he had been left behind. He replied, "He must be back on the platform. What should we do now?"
"Don't worry," Baba gestured.
"But he is old and on silence," Eruch protested. "He'll have a hell of a time making himself understood."
"From the next station, send a wire to the stationmaster and Chhagan will go back and bring him," Baba ordered.
A noise like the squeaking of a rat was heard and Eruch switched on his flashlight but could not discern anything in the darkness. In those days the trains had no electric lights and the compartments were dark at night. Again the sound was heard and Eruch searched their compartment but found nothing. Noticing that there was an empty seat, he thought that perhaps a fellow passenger had gone to the lavatory, but he could not locate the latrine. He then realized that the toilet door was completely covered by their baggage.
He began shifting the luggage and Baba asked, "Why are you doing that?"
"The door to the lavatory is blocked," Eruch replied. "It is just possible the other passenger is inside."
Eruch moved the obstructing luggage away, and to his surprise found Gustadji sitting inside.
Baba chided Gustadji, "Wherever you go, you always go to the toilet first. How much urine do you pass in a day? You came along to help load the luggage and you instead get locked in the loo!"
Gustadji replied, "The urge to piddle was uncontrollable. Had I helped with the bags I would have stained my pants." And Baba and Eruch could only laugh at Gustadji's serious expression.
April and May are the hottest months in India and it was scorchingly hot traveling in the train during the day.