Because everything appears calm and quiet here [at Meherabad], does not mean that there is no work going on. Spiritual workings can never be imagined, much less gauged, from outward signs, which are few and again impossible to be grasped by ordinary men.

Baba then gave this metaphor:

The electric powerhouse where all the electricity is generated is always comparatively dark, desolate, and deserted, while at a theater, the dazzling light produced by the powerhouse turns the night into day, and attracts a gay, lively crowd. Because the powerhouse is in relative darkness does not mean that there is no power there.

So you must all stick to the Powerhouse [the Master].

In the evening Baba asked, "Who is ready to keep watch at night outside the Jhopdi?" Many expressed their willingness, despite the winter cold, but Baba chose Masaji and Shankarnath for this duty. A few days before, when one of the mandali complained about the low temperatures at Meherabad, Baba joked, "I will ask the cold to subside." Strangely, it did turn warmer for a few days.

From Sunday, 2 January, Baba ceased writing completely and began conveying his thoughts and feelings through hand gestures or by pointing to different English alphabet letters in the newspaper. Up to this time, because of Baba's animated nature, the mandali had almost forgotten that he was silent. But when Baba stopped writing, they became keenly aware of it once again.

Rustom arrived in his new Hudson automobile and took Baba for a drive. Cricket was played in the evening. The Gujarati arti was performed that night at nine. From then on, Baba ordered it to be sung every night. He fasted and did not eat or drink anything the whole day.

Barsoap had been among the visitors to Lonavla recently, but he hadn't stayed long. As Chanji described it: "Barsoap caused great trouble to Baba with his obstinacy in not leaving for Poona as per Baba's orders, and also assuming a sense of 'supernatural understanding.' Baba displayed great patience and forbearance in dealing with him. Barsoap's pig-headedness in interpreting Baba's instructions, obeying them whenever it suited his whims and disregarding them if they were against his own inclinations, made almost all the mandali disgusted with him. But Shri [Baba] remained quite calm and collected in spite of it all."

Barsoap came to Meherabad from Poona on 3 January and caused a further disturbance by trying to extract Rs.5,000 from Baba.