Page 578 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

about fifteen thousand pounds and Bower will probably get the sack about it. They are Agents for the
German line of steamers which come to the Gulf and Mohamed Sherif was their sub agent. Took the Siadi
case in the morning, went over a lot of the accounts which are very complicated. Prior came back from his
trip to Kattar. The Shaikh sent for me in the middle of the afternoon, a most tiresome time so I sent back to
say I would come in the morning unless urgent, I hope he will take the hint and not send in the middle of the
only time that one gets to go out in. Major Holmes left. Motored in the evening. One gets very tired of the
same drives there are so few places to which one can go. Dr Todd the new doctor and Parke came to dinner.
Played Bridge, as usual we went down, we are now having a spell of bad luck. We shall miss Holmes a great
deal, I hope he will be back soon.

Monday 28th [July]

Court. Went up to see the Shaikh in the morning when he got back from Muharrak where he had been to
call on old Isa. He goes over at intervals to see him. He was very angry indeed with Parke who had not
released the prisoner who he ordered to be released at once, the man had been kept till the next day in gaol.
Holmes was in the Meglis when the Shaikh heard about this and talked about it and I suspect that didnt make
it any better for Parke as Holmes dislikes him intensely. The Shaikh made many long speeches about it all
and was really angry. Yusuf Kanoo called and talked about a piece of ground which he wants to buy adjacent
to some of his own. Very hot day. Had a tennis party in the afternoon. The Shaikh and Mubarak attended.
The Shaikh seemed to enjoy it very much and they were here quite a long time. he had a long talk with
James who is a tactful child and always behaves very well when he is there and seems really to like him. The
gold headdress always attracts him. The Shaikh said that when he goes home to see his grandmother he will
give him a complete Arab outfit to wear at home. I talked to Parke about the affair of the prisoner but he
merely seemed annoyed and seemed to think he was not to blame.

Tuesday 29th July

Manama Biladya meeting which lasted till after one oclock. Most of the talk was about the ice machine but
they also discussed the idea of starting a lunatic asylum. There is none here and the mad people are a great
nuisance and wander about in the street, some throw stones at people and are quite dangerous. Settled that
the Municipality is to take over the job of making the ice at all events until the question of the sale of the
Shaikh's share is settled. Tennis at the Mission in the afternoon. Had a look at the Dames garden, they have
got an enclosure with a lot of gazelle in it, they are quite tame and look very fit indeed, such pretty little
things. Hot weather now, the summer has really begun to be trying.

Wednesday 30th July

Office then went down to see the Shaikh in the Joint Court. He wants Prior and me to go out to his island for
a couple of days and a night. I said I did not like to go away for the night but would go for a day. Prior
accepted for a night as well. First he suggested Friday but I got out of that and decided on Saturday. I dislike
my Fridays being interfered with. Talked about the case of the cultured pearl, the relations of the man are
still trying to get the sentence cancelled, and with no grounds for doing so. In the afternoon we motored out