How did Sai Baba fulfill his promise to Dev to attend the Udyapan ceremony, and why was Dev initially so disappointed?

Sai Baba fulfilled his promise to Dev in a subtle yet precise manner. As Chapter 40 explains, Baba had told Dev he would come to the Udyapan ceremony with two others. On the day of the event, Baba appeared in the form of an unknown Sanyasi. He first came alone and, seeing Dev's apprehension, clarified he would return at noon for the meal with two companions. True to his word, the Sanyasi and two others arrived and ate. Dev's disappointment stemmed from his inability to see through this divine play. He expected Baba to appear in a more recognizable form and, failing to see him, felt that Baba had broken his word and deceived him. He expressed this sorrow in a letter to Jog, lamenting that 'it all turned out otherwise.'