Page 347 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

345

1927

Court. Sh. Isa came over from Muharrak on a four days hawking trip at the end of the island, really it is rather wonderful for
an old man of over 81. A lot of cases. Court lasted till 1.30. Drove out to Suk al Khamis after lunch & met some of the
leading Shias for a discussion as to repair of the mosque & building of school. Barrett & Mrs Barrett motored out with us &
then came to the garden & back here to tea. She was very lively. Ali bin Hussein told me that Bray is starting a business in
pearl shells & silk & cotton goods. He has lived for 5 years at Geneva & is said to have a big business there. Heavy cold in
the head.

Sunday 18th [December]

Went to lunch with Ahmed bin Khamis at Senobis after doing the office work. Also present the Barretts, Mirza Ali & a
Persian merchant. Quite a pleasant meal in a little room above a garden, open windows with a view across date palms to the
sea. Ahmed talked about the oppression of the Khalifa family in the old days. If any of the Baharnis were known to have a
decent house, donkey or daughter they were robbed of it by the Shaikh, specially by Sh. Isa & Abdulla. We had quite a good
meal & clean too which is surprising in a Baharni house. Afterwards sat talking in an adjoining room. Mirza Ali, a Persian,
Barretts assistant, is an extraordinarily well read man, knows lots of English & American authors, a plain little person with
round spectacles & a little black Persian cap. Went to the Biladya garden on the way back. M went to church, I had a cold so
didnt. Quite a warm day. It is much warmer than this time last year.