?^C^«^<<^*(^l^<^V^t^C^<^

EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

the glare of five hundred people. Nobody smiled. No-
body saw the rich, fantastic humour of this gathering
under the brilliant sky. The eager voice went on.

61 In the last few years," boomed the loud speakers,
" you have seen your glorious country gradually lifting
itself from the pit of ignorance. You have seen im-
provements in every department of State. You have
seen new buildings grow out of the Afghan plain, and
new roads wind their way over the hills for the trans-
port of the strangers who will come to your country for
its further improvement. Trade has increased, and your
Customs departments are reaping the benefit. The Army
is becoming modern and progressively efficient. Your
children are being educated, and your freedom is being
established. You are to benefit from your association
with the West. You are to take your place among
the great nations of the world, on equality with all
men. . . ."

Amanullah, excited now and on fire with his own
enthusiasm, swept the gathering with his eyes. He saw
the attentiveness of the foreign delegates. He saw the
quiet interest of his friend the British Minister. He saw
the women of the purdah, glancing at him through the
network of their cloaks, listening to the words that hinted
at their freedom in the years to come. Amanullah did
not yet dare to express his wishes on that point. It was
too early yet to tell of the decision he had made to defy
the oldest belief in their religion—that one day he would
rid their women of the curse of the purdah system.

But they sensed it. Already the news had come,
appropriately enlarged, that the Queen had appeared
in Europe with her face naked to the gaze of the com-
mon people. Already it had come to their ears that
she had driven in the public streets with her face un-
veiled. Her photograph had been taken, even. All the

175