142 IN THE VISION OF GOD
Ramdas in a humble tone and with joined palms, said
to Mm:
"Ram, yonr treatment of Ramdas reminds him of the
attitude of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa's nephew towards
him. It is Said that he domineered over the child-like
saint in a similar way. Eventually, Sri Eainakrishna had to
send him away. So Bamdas would also request yon to leave
him alone and take yourself off-"
Ramcharandas grinned and remained silent. He frequ-
ented the market place and made friends with many
merchants. One day he came to Ramdas and said:
"Swamiji, the merchant friends wish to present me
with cloth; I could have something for you also. What
shall we have?"
"Mendicants as we are, the best suited cloth for us is
khadi which is coarse and durable and serves all purposes.
As for Ramdas, lie lias already one and does not need any
more," Eamdas answered.
His face showed that he did not agree. He went to the
market and returned in the evening. What did Ramdas
behold ? A sadhu dressed in tiptop style! He wore a long
robe of fine muslin with shining buttons. He flourished
in his hand a fashionable and costly umbrella, and white
rubber-soled, canvas shoes encased his feet. At the sight of
this smart figure Ramdas bowed and said:
"Bam, you know Ramdas is a humble fakir. You are
now transformed into a saheb. How can a fakir have any-
thing in common -with a saheb?"
Ramcharandas iras not a man of words. He smiled away
Ramdas7 remarks. He would always have his own way.
From the friends of Jhansi Ramdas received an in-
vitation and railway fare for one passenger. It was evident
that he sihonld alone proceed to Jhansi. He broached the
subject to Samchaiandas who became rebellions.
"You are almys for throwing me up," he spoke
passionately.