Parichand's Correspondence with The Mother

11 June 1947

Mother,

This morning when Y went to call the gardeners at 6.30 a.m., he found them all absent, although we had seen some of them sitting and chatting outside before roll-call time. They appeared five minutes later, at 6.35 a.m. When Y informed them that they were late by five minutes, one gardener complained, "Five minutes in the morning—how can it be late?" Another gardener joined him and they grumbled a little.

They were late again today; I suspect it was intentional, and they may try to repeat it.

Z told me that in the Domestic Service five or ten minutes' lateness is not so strictly noted, but if someone is persistently late then he is marked so. It occurred to me that if the lateness is occasional, we too might ignore it. If we dissatisfy the gardeners for a few minutes delay, we may not get good work from them during the day. Y, however, seems to be more strict about punctuality in attendance.

I pray for Your guidance, Mother. I confess that I felt weakness and uneasiness in this connection.

It is always better not to make a fuss about small things.

My love and blessings

11 June 1947