At Sabarmati in 1935

In 1935 on his way back to Wardha, Gandhiji went to Sabarmati to visit Gaffer Khan in the jail. He had not been to Sabarmati since the day he had marched down the road, to Dandi from the Satyagraha ashram and vowed never to see the Harijan School attached to the ashram. Gandhiji talked to the children, asking them about their work, who were their teachers, what they were taught.    “Carding” said one.” Spinning”, said another. “Music”, said a third. “Breakfast “, said a fourth. “That must be a very good teacher indeed,” exclaimed Gandhiji, and all broke into laughter. At last it was time to go. “So our play is finished”, said Gandhiji, “and I shall say good-bye. Shall I?”“No, no” exclaimed the children.“Why? Do you want to ask me anything? Out with it?”“Tell us why you did not stay with us.”“Because you did not invite me, and Budhabhai did.”“We too would have invited you. But you will not stay with us. Tell us why not.”“I shall stay with you when you have won Swaraj.”“It was all right so long as it was your ashram,” argued one of the girls.“You would not stay in your own ashram again until you had Swaraj. It is the Harijan ashram. Why will you not stay with us?”Gandhiji laughed heartily and said: “well, when I came next time, you will give me the invitation.”