Page 434 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

432

1929

Wednesday 24th April

Office all the morning, a lot of people called, many to congratulate and others on business. Tennis at Mespers. No
news. Still very nice and cool as the shamaal is blowing. It is a great blessing for M. The Shaikh, who is out hunting,
wrote to say how pleased he was to hear the news, also Abdulla and Sulman. Lots of letters from Arabs and people. I
dont know what they would have done if he had been a girl, they consider it almost a disaster. They all seem to take it
as a sort of compliment to them that he was born in Bahrain.

Thursday [25 April]
The Shaikh came in and saw the baby. He brought up Daij, his youngest son but one. They sat solemnly on the sofa
and Mrs Marley brought him in. The Shaikh was very interested but Daij looked rather alarmed. The Shaikh kept on
wagging his finger at him but as he was asleep, and remained so, it didnt matter. The Strakers, Dr Holmes and Straw
came in at tea time and were allowed to see the baby. He was asleep. Dined at Mespers and played Bridge, no one
else there except Straw.

Friday [26 April]

Stayed in bed till very late. Wend over to the Agency and then to the Bank. A party in the afternoon at the Agency
given by the Agency staff to the Barretts, very well done, all the English people and the head clerks of every office.
The Shaikh attended and talked incessantly about his namesake. Dined with D.G. The Barretts and two Mission ladies
were there and the Captain of the Crocus and the ship's doctor, quite a nice little party. D.G. as usual made a speech.
He never misses an opportunity but he speaks well.

Saturday [27 April]

In the morning there was a sort of farewell party at the Biladya to Barrett. Quite a good show, all the leading
merchants of Manama and Muharrak attended. There were so many people that some were rather alarmed at the
weight on the floor which is only supported by thin chandals. Office in the morning. Various people came to call, on
business, among them Ahmed bin Khamis and Mohamed al Medani and Abdu Ali. The baby is a trifle disturbed in his
tummy which is worrying. Mrs Holmes came over. Mrs Marley, our nurse, is very unwell. A great nuisance as it was
so very expensive getting her up from India and now she seems too unwell to do anything. Went out to Idari in the
evening and had a bathe. Met Barrett taking a farewell drive in his car. Prior arrived on the mail in the evening. I
didnt see him. A small post, only two or three letters. Still pleasantly cool owing to the shamaal.

Sunday 28th April 1929

A most worrying day altogether. Went up to the Fort before breakfast and then down to the Customs, then back to the
office and found that the Shaikh had gone across to the Agency, so I went over. Shaikh Isa had been to call but had
left. Stayed there a long time and then the Shaikh came back here and talked business for about an hour, so I didnt get
my breakfast till nearly eleven. Court. Fortunately a lot of the litigants had gone out diving so we were not so very