During one particular month, however, no soda was received in Satara, and Baba royally took Bhau to task.
"Why didn't you buy more bottles last month?" he complained. "You have no thought for me, no consideration for me! And when your attitude is like this, what is the use of your remaining with me?"
With the utmost difficulty, Bhau would buy one bottle here and one there from different shops, cafes and restaurants; but Baba was still not satisfied, as it took time to buy the bottles from so many places, and Baba wanted him back from the bazaar at an earlier time.
Several days later, the shipment of soda water was received from Bombay, and Bhau bought six crates, enough to last for a month and a half. The wholesaler released them unwillingly, as he had his daily quota to fulfill to the retailers as well, and knew this would be the only truckload of soda from Bombay for a month. Nevertheless, Bhau managed to persuade him.
All went smoothly, and Bhau was feeling very pleased with himself when ten days later calamity struck.
Baba called him and complained, "The soda from these crates is stale and smells bad. Return one of the crates and bring another one!"
"To return it will be easy, as there is always a shortage of soda," said Bhau, "but it will be extremely difficult to get another crate."
"There is nothing great in returning it; but it will be truly great if you can get it replaced!"
So Bhau went to return the crate, but everywhere he went he was asked suspiciously, "Why do you want a replacement? What is wrong with this one?"
"Nothing is wrong with it. Check and see for yourself."
"They seem to be all right. But why do you want to exchange this crate for another one? What is the reason?"
What reason could Bhau give? He met with the same reaction everywhere, and at last he hit upon a stratagem. He approached a restaurateur and said, "Please give me 24 bottles of cold soda water, and keep these 24 bottles instead. I will pay you one rupee for the exchange." The owner willingly complied, and Bhau returned to Grafton with the new bottles.