AMANULLAH

The carriages were lined with Burma teak and the
fittings were silver. The ceilings were white, and the
curtains were old gold. The bathrooms were white
tiled, and the bedrooms were old gold and blue. At the
last minute, after requesting that there be separate
bedrooms for himself and his Queen, Amanullah had
changed his mind and asked for double accommodation.

That change was made by men working day and night
in the railway workshops in Lahore before the wonder
train went up the tortuous track to the Frontier. Army
aeroplanes accompanied the white train till dusk fell.
Amanullah looked out of the window, and gazed
excitedly at the country towards which his eyes had
often turned in envy. The train pulled gently through
the night and stopped at Karachi the next morning.

Once more the old formula of gun-salutes, presenta-
tions, red carpets, and bouquets for the Queen. Aman-
ullah spoke in Persian in reply to numerous addresses
of welcome, and Souriya attended a pzmZafe party. She
wore a Paris frock, abandoned the veil that hid the
lower part of her face, and for the first time gave rise
to the fables of her beauty, later told all over the
Western world*

But she had skill and daring in thus displaying het
beauty. She was a woman of character, thus to appear
in the East, dressed in a Paris frock of cream and blue,
and a picture hat. She was implementing the courage
of her husband. And the ladies of Karachi, meeting
her for the first time, told enthusiastic stories of her
beauty and wit.

She urged her Indian hosts to educate their children.
She pointed to the first efforts in the field of education
being made in her own country. She charmed every
listener* Then they went to Bombay.

On the little ship taking them, Amanullah played

98