Before coming to a final decision, all went to Shahane's house for their usual Thursday tea. After a game of atya-patya, Baba retired to his Jhopdi at 10:15 for the night.
Some of the laddoos Rustom had purchased in honor of the birth of his son still remained. Behramji distributed two of these sweets to each of the mandali, though Baba had instructed that only one be given. While the mandali were enjoying this sweet, they noticed Baba leave his Jhopdi and begin walking toward Ahmednagar. The Jhopdi was a considerable distance from the mandali's quarters and it was pitch-dark outside. Baba was striding swiftly down the road, and the men ran after him. With hand signs, Baba gestured for them to go back. They stopped but watched alertly to see where Baba would go. Baba went some distance farther across nallahs (riverbeds) and fields, and returned to his hut by a circuitous route to avoid the mandali, who were gathered on the main road.
The next morning, Baba was in a pleasant mood and inquired about each man's health. However, during his inquiry, he came to know that each of the mandali had eaten two laddoos the previous night.
He was very annoyed and wrote: "All of you should now completely stop the work at Meherabad. What is the worth of your work when you have no value for my words? You work like mules the whole day, but if the work is not done according to my wish, it is meaningless. There are many in the world who also labor hard. But to do as I say is quite a different thing."
Showing his disappointment, Baba again started walking toward Ahmednagar, but after going a short distance he sat down under a neem tree. When the mandali approached him, he ordered them to go back, threatening to stone them if they came any closer!
Silence reigned in Meherabad as all work ceased. At three in the afternoon, Baba sent word through Behramji for all to resume their work, though he remained seated under the tree. Soon Baba sent another message that all should continue doing their duties in his absence, as he would be leaving by himself for an unknown destination that evening.
Hearing this, the mandali gathered together and decided to approach Baba and attempt to rectify the situation.