MOST URGENT:
A dead rat was found in the case when the sitar was ordered to be put in it. This shows that a serious disease, like the plague, is likely to invade the premises unless the rooms are kept scrupulously clean as already ordered.
— Merwan
11 October 1922
But shortly afterward, the above notice was wiped out by the Master before all could read it (probably to avoid frightening anyone), and the following was substituted:
Tincture of iodine should be applied on eczema, boils, pimples and any other skin trouble.
That evening, Ghani, Adi and Ramjoo were sitting on the front steps of the Manzil, complaining of the hard life they were leading. Ghani vented, "Baba is steadily increasing our difficulties. Afternoon tea has been stopped, sleeping hours have been curtailed and he insists on our stuffing food into our stomachs, despite our disinclination to eat. We no longer get fresh bread at breakfast; we have to kill at least 50 wretched mosquitoes daily; and each day new orders and instructions issue forth. He is always on us about something; we cannot breathe freely for even a moment."
Ramjoo agreed that he was right, and that their difficulties seemed to be increasing. Ghani added, "I feel Baba's grip is tightening and growing stronger day by day ..." But hardly had he begun to finish the sentence when Adi was suddenly called by Baba. After some time Ramjoo and Ghani were also called.
Baba scolded Ghani, "You don't do any work around here and, on the contrary, instigate others to become lazy!" He then scolded Ramjoo and Adi, and ordered them not to talk among themselves for the next ten months! Before sending them away, he asked them, "Do you feel hurt about this?"
Ramjoo and Adi replied that they did, but Ghani said, "I did not feel a thing. On the contrary, I began thinking I might make some mistake in carrying out this new order." Baba did not appreciate hearing his comment and withdrew the order concerning Adi and Ramjoo, but ordered Ghani not to talk with anyone in the Manzil for the next ten months. He then directed Ramjoo to write the following on the notice board:
SENT TO COVENTRY:1
Everyone in the Manzil is strictly prohibited from talking, or holding any sort of communication by signs or through writing, or in any other way, with Ghani.
Footnotes
- 1."Sent to Coventry" is a British expression for being shunned.