Meanwhile, Francis and Meherdas had arrived from Meherazad on 20 March.
Baba had arranged for Francis to stay at Ramakrishnan's home in Kirkee, because it was quieter and Francis found it easier to write there. Every morning, Francis would ride a bicycle three miles to Guruprasad. Baba had instructed him to come at 9:00 A.M., and Francis would arrive at 8:45 A.M.
“”One day he came at his usual time and Baba asked, "Why are you late today? I was waiting for you."
Francis said, "I have come fifteen minutes early."
“”Baba sternly corrected him, "I have been waiting for you for one hour, and you say you are fifteen minutes early. Is it proper for you to speak like this?"
Pained at displeasing Baba, Francis burst into tears.
“”Baba informed him, "'Baba-time' is something different. Remember that!"
Embracing him, Baba assured him not to worry about it.
Francis began arriving at 8:30 A.M., but again Baba informed Francis that he had been waiting for him. The next day, Francis came at 8:00 A.M., but once more Baba was early, waiting on the verandah, and scolded him for being late! This went on until Francis finally moved to Guruprasad.
“”Once when someone came late, Baba asked, "Why are you late? What were you doing?"
The person said, "Baba, I went to eat."
“”"You were so hungry, you missed some of my darshan to have something to eat?!"
The next day, the person came early.
“”Baba asked, "Have you eaten?"
When they said they hadn't, Baba said, "You should have!"
And joked, "Now your whole mind will be on your stomach!"
Baba would often play draughts (checkers) with Nariman, Jim Mistry and Kumar. Aloba and Baidul's matches continued, as well. During one game, Nariman and Deshmukh were seated on the floor in front of Baba. Baba was watching them play when he suddenly stretched out his legs on a stool in front of him and became totally still. Ramakrishnan was present and describes: "Nariman and Deshmukh stood up. There was pin-drop silence. Baba was physically there, but at the same time he was not there. We were all [metaphorically] holding our breath. Forty-five minutes of this absolute silence and immobility passed. Baba then withdrew his legs and stretched his arms, as if waking from sleep."
One weekend when Jim Mistry came from Bombay, he went to take a bath. A small electric water heater was installed in Guruprasad for warm water and he switched it on. That moment, Baba called him. Forgetting to switch off the hot-water geyser, he ran out. The device overheated and exploded. The men went to see what had happened. Baba asked what the noise was and was told.
“”Baba asked Jim, "Why didn't you turn off the geyser?"
