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1926

amazing, then thousands of men beating themselves & then, the pièce de resistance, about 50 men carrying
swords & cutting themselves across the forehead, dressed in white clothes simply covered with blood!
Altogether rather a nasty sight on a hot day! After a while we motored on to the Quadi's house & watched the
whole procession pass again from there. One of the queerest things was seeing the frantic state of excitement
among the women. We saw two of the performers fall down in a sort of faint - & no wonder. I'm glad M didnt
come. She had been going to but Daly sent a message saying that he didnt recommend it.

Afterwards returned to the Agency & finished off the Budget, its really a fine piece of work. Drove out in the car after
dinner. Lovely night - a moon. Called on the Sheikh in the evening.

Thursday [22nd July]

Got home early from office. I am now bargaining over the contract for the new sea wall, with the Punjabi contractor,
its like buying a carpet - real bargaining, but I think I may get it for one lac and twenty two thousand.

The Sheikh came to Court, discussed the fate of one of the royal family who was banished for life & has come back
without leave. Slept from 3 to 7! So too late to go out. Motored after dinner but came back as we found that a spring
has bust, an awful nuisance. I begin to think cars are more worry than pleasure!! Very hot dry day.