And very shortly they were at the Railway Station at Dehra Dun. Since Shri Nathji had not made any reservations in advance, no first class seats were available and Shri Nathji and his family were told that they would have to share the second-class compartment of the train with another family. It was the first time in their lives that they would be travelling with a third party whom they did not know.
As the whistle of the train blew and the train began giving starting jerks, Shri Nathji had to balance himself carefully before he sat down. The children were still in their sweaters and warm, navy blue blazers. All their lives the boys had been accustomed to wearing woollen coats in Mussoorie and in the plains, which they visited in the winters. It was unthinkable for them to be without them.
They had never experienced the heat of the plains before and had no idea how to cope with it. Mateshwari realised the omission soon enough, and had cotton coats made for them in later days at Allahabad. Till that time, however, they continued to wear the warm woollen blazers in the stifling heat of the summer months, much to the amazement of all.
It was the month of July and the weather was stifling hot. Shri Nathji had removed his turban and achkan and was in a simple white cotton kurta and pyjamas. The other family entered the compartment and sat down opposite Shri Nathji and his family. The train started in real earnest and was soon on its way with the engine whistling and throwing gusts of steam.