Page 315 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

313

1927

Court. Sh Abdulla came & we went out to see the site of the oil store and moved it slightly to one side to settle Isa's objection.
Omar ran the car into a wall to avoid running over a man & bust it up rather, but seems possible to repair it. Zayani called on
M. Went up to the Palace in afternoon & then to the garden, then to see Zainal's pearls, a most wonderful sight, nearly
£300,000 worth of them. It was probably an unique sight even in Bahrain. The Spences were there. Had tea with him, quite
good, tea & biscuits. Bought a carpet off the gardener at garden, not a good one but a nice colour Rs 22/-. Brenenfeld is
chartering a special aeroplane from Baghdad to take him home as his wife is ill. These pearl people talk of a thousand rupees
as we talk of ten, they seem to have enormous amounts of money.

Sunday [23 October]

Went up to the Biladya in morning & discussed arrangements for the arrival of the Chief Secretary. We are putting up arches
& decorations along the route by which he will drive. Also discussed the subjects to be brought up at next meeting. Went to
the garden & then Ayesha, "The Queen" came to call with her nice old mother. I asked the Shaikh whether I should appear &
as he said certainly I did so. She looked very well & beautifully dressed & very talkative & animated. She has plenty of
assurance. We gave them a meal, tea & then coffee, sweets, sugared rose & violet petals & cherries, a great success. The old
lady was delighted with the cherries & ate many of them. She talked much of the state of women in Bahrain & asked me to try
& improve it. She said it was like being in a prison - after England. They stayed a long time & evidently enjoyed the visit.