Page 416 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1929

We got stuck in the sand in one place but the Shaikh sent a car with us to Rafaa and so they pulled us out. I mentioned
to the Shaikh that two of the Mission women, Miss Dalenburg and Dr Rotschafer were camping out by themselves near
Budeya. He very much disapproved and told me to write to Dr Dame and tell them that if they did so they must take
three Policemen with them. Of course it is most unwise and unsuitable for two unmarried women to camp out alone in
a place like this, the Arabs if nothing else happened would always put a bad construction on such a thing. Stayed out
there for about two hours talking to the Shaikh and then drove home, very slowly owing to the mud, getting back too
late to go to the Agency. I looked in for a few minutes to say I was back. A good deal of rain in the night and in the
afternoon. There has been quite a lot this year.

Saturday, 23rd Feb.
Court. Dealt with the cases of liquor distilling and illicit drinking. Our action in this seems to have made a very great
stir in the place. It seems that a lot of big people are mixed up in the drinking, several of the young Shaikhs among
them. Gave them eight months prison and to be deported for five years. When we had sentenced them we made them
march along to the Customs each man carrying a bottle, when they arrived there they broke the bottles in the sea and
smashed up all the stuff from the still. Went out in the car in the afternoon and saw some pieces of ground and looked
at the School. It is really a very handsome building and far better style than any other in the place. Asked the Barretts
to tea and Bridge, Parke and D.G. both came in, uninvited. Just as they were going Miss Dalenburg and Dr Rotschafer
came in, furiously angry, and asked to speak to me privately. They were very angry at my writing to Dame about their
camping out and wanted to know exactly what was meant, they said that the Mission interpreted the letter in another
way, as far as I could gather some thought that I meant their morals might be talked about, perfectly true though I didnt
mean that. They were very angry and excited. Quaint idea having to interview two young women on such a subject.
They think that because they are American, and belong to a Mission, they can do just what they please in the place.
They wanted me to say that they could go back to their camp tonight, but I didnt. I feel sure that Dr Dame will come
and see me next. It appears that there is no head in the Mission, all are considered equal. It must be very difficult
when occasions like this arise.

The boat came in after dinner so mail will probably arrive in the morning. Everyone very amused and
interested in the affair of the Mission ladies. Barrett was here when they arrived but he literally fled when he heard
them outside.

Sunday 24th Feb. 1929

Dr Dame, the Mission doctor, called in the morning and had a long talk about Miss Dalenburg and Dr Rottschafer. He
very strongly disapproves of what they have done. He was very pleasant and most outspoken. It seems that nobody at
the Mission has any control over anyone else. They are very democratic and their breed of church has no Bishops or
prelates. Dr Dame admitted that he had absolutely no control over the others though Miss Dalenburg works under him.
Apparently any of those young women can go off and do whatever she likes and no one can tell her not to. He entirely
agreed with what I had done and asked me to do all I could to make them come back. He was really very nice. It must
be very irritating for him and most awkward as the two women live with the Dames. He said they were very silly and
hated to take orders from a man. Typical advanced young American women. I really liked Dame as he was so open
about it all, besides it is always satisfactory to find that someone feels exactly as one does oneself on a subject. He
ordered them not to go out last night but they disobeyed him and went back to their camp at Budeya. Budeya is quite