Page 571 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

going to Hassa with his brother Mubarak to call on the Amir Abdulla bin Jeloui. They are really going for what
they can get in the way of presents. It is the custom on these occasions to give a great deal. Had tea with
Holmes and helped him to draft a letter about the oil concession to Prior, of course quite privately as it would
not do it if was thought that I was helping him too much in the matter. He is not very good on paper. We
had tea with him and then went out for a drive in the car. Dined with Armstrong, Holmes made the fourth
and we played Bridge. Armstrong has a most attractive little wild fox which is on very good terms with the
dog and they rolled about and played all over the veranda, it is a wild fox from Kuwait, rather different to the
ordinary fox with very long ears, a most clever likeable little thing.

Sunday [6 July]

The Inspector of Education left for leave, rather a relief as he took up so much of my time. A Persian Shaikh
called, he is staying here, has a lot of money, which is rare in these people, and says he is going to travel in
Europe, but as he is said to be mad, and certainly seemed very queer, I rather doubt his going there. He sat
and said nothing and I could get no interest out of him till I asked if he wore a Pahlevi cap in his country, that
did draw him and he denied it very indignantly. In the afternoon we took Mohamed Khalil and Armstrong
out on the Rafaa road to see about a place where we think of boring a well and starting our agriculture
scheme. Went in to the Jordans on our way back, they are now settled in the new house. Met Prior at Idari
with the two Darin Airmen who have camped in his house for over two weeks now. It is trying the way these
people make an hotel of the Agency. Dined at the Bank. Barden and Dr Holmes are sharing there, a very
pleasant dinner and afterwards Bridge till very late. They are a nice couple and very easy to get on with. We
seem to have a great many dinners out this week, I think everyone is giving entertainments while the
weather is so pleasant and cool. The shamaal is still blowing and it is really not at all hot.

Monday [7 July]

Court. Mohamed bin Ali acted as Sulman is away, he is quite useless and when one asks his opinion he says
nothing but "what you think" no good as a magistrate. Prior has heard that two German journalists are trying
to get here disguised as Arabs knowing that they are not allowed here as no Germans are allowed to land in
Bahrain. Took the dogs out in the car in the afternoon. Called on the Jordans on the way back, looked at one
of the Shaikhs gardens. Holmes and Parke came to dinner, they behaved quite well, at times they are
awkward as they both dislike eachother so much. Played Bridge till quite late, we are having a perfect orgy of
late nights and dinner parties. Very violent shamaal wind which blew in several of the window panes. Sand
blowing all day, very nasty but cool at all events.

Tuesday [8 July]

Office. Jordan came in. Went to the Customs. Shamaal still blowing very strong. M went down the bazaar.
The men from Darin left the Agency at last, everyone has got very tired of them here. Mail arrived but at the
last moment they said that there was no need for the quarantine as the plague had stopped, there were only
one or two cases in Baghdad, probably brought by the pilgrims on their return from Mecca. Tennis at the
Mission, a little better than usual as Barden was there. Prior and the Jordans came in after tea. Prior got a