Page:Masani - Gandhi's story.pdf/47

Rh but it was nobody he knew. The strange man said to him, “I want to help your Ashram. Will you accept some money?”

"Oh, most certainly,” replied Gandhiji, hardly believing his ears.

“Good,” said the stranger, “I shall return just about this time tomorrow and will bring the money with me.” Having said that, he drove away in his big car.

The next day at exactly the same time the strange man returned to the Ashram as he had promised. He sent for Gandhiji again and without saying anything handed him an enormous packet of currency notes. Before Gandhiji could thank him for it or even ask him his name, he drove away in his car and Gandhiji never saw him again. There was great joy and celebration in the Ashram that day, and everybody assembled in the place of prayer to offer thanks to God for the help he had sent in this unexpected way. And now little Laxshmi could stay on in the Ashram and have enough food and clothes and learn to read and write no matter what the rich men of Ahmedabad might do.

Gandhiji could not, however, remain for very long in the peace and shelter of his Ashram. His country needed him, and he had to travel all over India trying to persuade the rich to help the poor.

On these journeys Gandhiji always travelled third class, which was the cheapest way. He said that since