Walking with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the "bird cage"

Some of the believers who are here assembled early in the afternoon in the dining room, and by 5 1/4 o’clock when many people had arrived to hear Him, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá came to the drawing room, sat again as on Monday in the bay window, and with Dr. Fareed standing near, while translating, a beautiful address was given. After the address He left the room to rejoin the believers who had returned to the dining room, but as the people in the drawing room were hoping to see Him again, I asked if He would shake hands with them and He most kindly did so, and then went back to the others.

I ordered the carriage hoping He would enjoy a drive, but He preferred to walk in what we call the “bird cage,” saying He liked that, with the beautiful view, better than driving. I asked Mirza Mahmoud, particularly, to drive and two others went, Mirza Valiyu’llah Khan, Dr. Fareed, and Mirza Sohrab staying here with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Our wonderful day was not even yet over, for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá walked in the “cage” for a long time, talking to us of most interesting things. Needless to say, these as well as the address earlier Mirza Sohrab took down and I think all will be printed in the “Star of the West.” It became cooler and He suggested that we go in, as Mrs. Ford and I were not warmly dressed. Again in the drawing room He talked to us, and then asked for some coffee. I asked Him to have it in the dining room while we were having supper. Mirza Valiyu’llah asked to be excused, having important letters, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Dr. Fareed and Mirza Sohrab came in.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá was much interested in the chafing dish which Jeffrey used to cook eggs, and said He was going to have that kind of stove. It would be useful on the steamer, etc.

We returned to the drawing room, and after a short time He said He wished to return home. He did not wish to drive, so a lantern was brought.