How did Sai Baba react to the food offering from Mrs. Khaparde, and why was his reaction so unusual?

According to Chapter 27, Sai Baba's reaction to Mrs. Khaparde's food offering was one of great and unusual eagerness. When she brought a plate of food, Baba immediately pushed up the sleeves of his kafni, sat at the dining place, and prepared to eat. This behavior was surprising because he often left other offerings, even those in silver plates, aside for a long time. When questioned about this partiality, Baba explained that his connection to the lady spanned several past lives. He recounted that she had been a grocer's cow, then born to a gardener, a grocer's wife, and finally a Brahmin. He stated he was seeing her after a long time and ate her food out of love and for his own happiness.