Page 170 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

Tuesday March 1st 1927

Biladya meeting. Neither Barrett or the Shaikh attended. Not very exciting, discussed a petrol store outside the town & also
irrigation. The Shaikh came in afterwards very delighted at having arranged for the Dawasir to return. Some of them came
in, many pretty speeches & embracing, but he didnt tell them the terms on which they were to return. Walked back. Went
over to Muharraq pm with the P.R, Mrs Haworth & Mrs Barrett, B was ill & didnt come. The Col went to call on Isa & I took
the ladies to Ayesha's house, the Shaikh's head wife, who went home with him. Her old red bearded father received us at
the door & invited me to go in too so after much hesitation I did so. We lunched with the Lady Ayesha & her mother in an
upper room. She has been extremely beautiful but a trifle passée now, very fine eyes & good features & an attractive smile.
She was not veiled, neither was the mother. She wore gorgeous green embroidered silk & a white abba over it with gold
embroidery. She was very pleasant & smiling & ate with us, but she has decidedly the grand manner, altogether a striking
person. The lunch was very good, lighter than usual & very well served. The ladies then went a drive with "the Queen" & I
went on to the school to join the PR. They had a sort of Speech Day affair, songs & recitations, quite well done. Afterwards
we went a drive, in three cars, out to Busatin where we sighted the Queen's car, the Col & I went into the garden & joined
them. The Queen really looked extremely pretty in the garden standing under a tree with several women servants & her old
mother, pulling down fruit from the tree. It would have made a delightful picture & I wished I had my camera to take it - but