Burma Sahib by Paul Theroux

Author:Paul Theroux
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2024-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

The wedding was held, not at any of the stately Rangoon churches, but at the Das family bungalow in distant Kokine Road, tucked into the valley. The ceremony was simple, an exchange of vows and rings, Leila resplendent in silks and finery, an array of jewels, necklaces, heavy dangling earrings, and a veil. She looked like a princess. Seeley in a white suit beside her in a chair twisted with flowers and ostrich feathers, a garland of marigolds around his neck. The banquet filled five tables, Indian dishes on several, a baron of beef at a third, desserts and drinks on others, an ice sculpture, butter pats shaped into blossoms. Most of the guests were Indian—Leila’s mother was veiled and looked severe and didn’t speak; a scattering of nervous Burmese, two or three English couples, a Scotsman in a kilt. Some were obvious half-castes—a sweet-faced woman who smiled at Blair across the wedding cake Leila cut with a dah—and he smiled back at the half-caste but he thought, I couldn’t possibly.

An Indian servant in a gold-trimmed uniform and turban stood by a gramophone, playing records, winding the machine with a crank when it ran down. Some of the tunes were familiar—Al Jolson, and “Avalon,” and “It had to be you—wonderful you,” and a new one.

What’ll I do

When you

Are far away

And I am blue

What’ll I do?

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