My Mother — Page 135
Miscellaneous 135 afford it. Money orders were dispatched the same day. She blessed me and her smile was also a benediction. In the summer of 1934 the Governor of the Punjab went on leave and Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan, Revenue Member in the Punjab Government, officiated as Governor. Towards the end of his offi ciating period he decided that on the return of the Governor he himself would take leave. He enquired from the Governor who should officiate as Revenue Member in his absence, and the Gov - ernor suggested my name. Sir Sikandar telephoned to me from Simla and enquired whether I would make myself available. I told him I had other plans for the summer. He said, ‘I understand you are coming up to Simla next weekend; I may be able to persuade you. ’ I mentioned the matter to Mother. Her reaction was swift and definite, ‘No, darling, I do not think we should officiate for Sir Sikandar. ’ So that was that. I particularly relished the ‘we’, and of course the nuance that what was offered was not good enough for her son! I assumed charge of my office of Member of the Governor- General’s Executive Council in May 1935 and we moved to Simla. By that time some Muslim ladies of the Punjab, who considered themselves ‘advanced’ had discarded the veil and there was a grow- ing tendency in that direction. Two of these advanced young ladies who were quite intimate with my wife—having failed to persuade her to follow their example—approached Mother on one occa- sion and suggested that she should direct her to discard the veil. Mother said, ‘I can do no such thing. It would be contrary to the commandments of our God and His Messenger. ’