I don’t remember the incident that is being described. I am not sure why someone has specifically quoted it. Sri Aurobindo was generally reticent about expressing his views on any issue. People read into his Silence. The one thing to learn from Sri Aurobindo with regard to this incidence is to remain quiet and undisturbed under any circumstance. It is in this state that there is a chance for knowledge to enter. But ordinarily we are too full of our views and opinions which we rush to express and impose upon others. Sri Aurobindo observed quietly and even suggested that one can learn a lot during travels by observing human nature. Perhaps he was doing that.
Affectionately,
Alok Da