Page 258 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

256

1927

there & of course tried to lead everything. He's such a fat vulgar old party - "old party" just describes him, fat, rather red
nosed, short, blue glasses, white robes & a large umbrella & an oily manner. Got back at 8 pm.

Saturday 16th July

Court in the morning. Rather a lot of people to interview. The old Shaikh from Mohamerah came to the office & met Shaikh
Ali, ex clerk at Agency. They both claim some money in a case. They had a most violent row & were very insulting to
eachother. I really believe the old man has no claim at all. Finally got rid of them. Slept in the afternoon & then motored out
to call on old Shaikh Ibrahaim bin Mohamed, an uncle of the Shaikh's, a most scholarly old man who lives during the summer
along the coast. Took with me a little old man called Fahad al Bassam, used to be one of the biggest merchants in the Gulf but
lost all his money & is now a pauper & rather silly, still I'm sorry for him & he is a very staunch admirer of Daly's. We found
Alban also there, calling, with Khalid Moyad, & then Yusuf Kanoo arrived. He & Moyad being deadly enemies & not on
speaking terms made it rather amusing. They each ignored the other - obviously. Kanoo as usual was very gushing, invited
Alban to go with him to Shiraz - which he refused decidedly, and then started the stunt of talking about how a Ford taxi or his
feet were good enough to him & a lot more of that sort of thing. Drove home & then to dinner & Bridge at Mespers. A hot
damp night.