Baba was upset and blamed the staff, complaining, "If this is the result of so much labor and spending lakhs [hundreds of thousands] of rupees, it has all been useless! Now it is better to close down the ashram."
On 23 July 1928, Baba called Meredith Starr and discussed his future work.
In the course of their conversation, Baba remarked, "I will work through you in the West. You will work for me directly. You are fit for this [spiritual] line and so I have drawn you here. I will make you perfect in this life."
Thinking himself to be someone important, Starr was of course delighted to hear this.
Pleader had been to Bombay for a few days and returned that day with his mother and a friend, both of whom were pleased to meet Baba.
On 24 July, the ashram boys were punished for their misbehavior the previous day by not being allowed to go near Baba or have his darshan. Baba did not visit the school, although he made his usual rounds of the ashram. Because of his misconduct, Aga Ali had been ordered to attend school and he obeyed, though he had tears in his eyes and soon expressed his desire to return to Bombay. Baba readily consented and motioned for him to leave immediately, but Raosaheb intervened, appealing to Baba to forgive the boy. After several hours of discussion, Baba at last pardoned Ali. The next day he forgave all the boys and allowed them to take darshan. Baily and Ramjoo returned at noon; Padri left with Pleader's mother and returned three days later.
The weather in Toka continued to be damp and dreary, which caused some of the mandali and five of the boys to fall ill with fever. When Dr. Sathe, the ashram's physician, did not show up for three days due to flooded roads, Baba himself began treating all the patients. He would prescribe and distribute medicine, take the patients' temperatures and feel their pulses. He would even wash their plates and glasses, not permitting anyone else to do this work for fear of contamination.
Someone remarked, "Perhaps this place is unhealthy," to which Baba replied, "I am jamir [resilient] enough for that. Let us see."
And amazingly, all the patients became well within two days. Karim had been suffering from a high fever but he was ordered by Baba to continue his duty in the Prem Ashram — and even he felt better.