Why was the Tarkhad son initially unwilling to go to Shirdi with his mother, and what condition did he set for his father before agreeing to the trip?

The Tarkhad son was a very devout follower of Sai Baba who performed daily worship of his photograph, which included offering 'Naivedya' or a food offering. As described in Chapter 9, his primary concern was that this daily worship would not be performed regularly in his absence. He was especially worried because his father was a follower of the Prarthana Samaj, and the son was unsure if he would carry out the idol worship properly. Therefore, he made his journey conditional. He requested his father to promise that no one in the house would eat their food until the Naivedya had first been offered to Sai. Only after his father, Babasaheb Tarkhad, gave his word and assured him he would perform the duty, did the son agree to go to Shirdi.