Page 417 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

415

1929

one of the most unsuitable places on the island for two white women to stay in alone. The Arabs there are a bad lot and
not on good terms with the Shaikh, being Dawasir, and the sons of the headman are notorious.

Went up to see Parke. Arranged that he should go out to Budeya and speak to Dr Rottschafer, if she did
not agree to come back he was to give her a letter from me and if she still refused he would arrange for an escort of
Police to remain with the two ladies. Went to see Barrett before I saw Parke. He entirely agreed with us in
disapproving of the Mission ladies doings. Of course it is really his place to interfere but as usual he takes no part in it.
Went out a drive and then Parke came in to see us having been out. I think my letter did the trick as they agreed to
come back. Parke had an interview with Dr Rottschafer and told some very strong home truths, that if they stayed out
their moral reputation would absolutely go as the Arabs would think they were out there for immoral purposes. This is
perfectly true. I got a furious and rather rude letter in reply to mine. The ladies are extremely angry. Sent round to
Dame and told him that they were coming back. He came along to see me about it, very much relieved. Parke and I
went over to the Agency and told Barrett what had happened. They threatened that the affair would not end with their
coming in. I am wondering what they will do next. They are, as Dame said, fools, women of that age ought to know
how to behave. Miss Dalenburg is about 35 and Dr Rottschafer about 40.

Monday 25th [February]

Spent most of the morning down at the Customs going over figures about the Landing Contract. D.G. has worked out a
most apalling statistic on the subject, quite a nightmare of figures. Tennis at the Mission. The others were all very
obviously friendly. Miss Dalenburg appeared, still ... a fury, and behaved very queerly and rudely. She wouldnt even
speak to me. Parke came in after tea for a while. Terrific gale in the night and very cold all day so that we had a fire in
the evening. The garden is being terribly blown about. The weather this year is very queer.

Tuesday [26 February]

Office as usual. Several people came round to see me. Abdulla bin Jabr came in with a message from the Shaikh that
he thought the place where the prisoners in the murder trial are kept is not sufficiently secure. I am using my up-stairs
office now a days. It is more convenient as people cant see in to it and dont dare to come up stairs without being sent
for. Went a drive in the afternoon and to see the school which is getting on very well. Cold stormy day, very rough
sea. Went into the Biladya garden on the way back. It is still very full of water. The Dames and Miss Tiffany and
Miss Barney, missionaries, and Parke and de Grenier came to dinner. Rather heavy, we sat and talked afterwards.
Parke yawned all the time, his manners are in many ways abominable. The hens laid four eggs, the most we have had
yet in one day. A lot of mignonette in the garden.

Wednesday [27 February]

Went across to the Agency for a while in the morning. I am getting a good deal of back work cleared up this month.
Cold stormy day again. Went out in the car after lunch to behind the Shaikh's Palace and something snapped in the
gear. Very annoying. Sent a fellow in to the town with a note to Khalil Kanoo who came out and rescued us, but we
were very late for tennis at Mespers so I only got one sett. Many people seem to have colds. Tea and Bridge at