Page 93 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

91

1926

One of the officers walked into my room when I was asleep after lunch - which annoyed me - & seemed to expect me
to arrange a dozen different things. They cant organise at all. Abdulla came to call. Nowadays he is tremendously
keen to show his activity on the side of the Government & to show how much more intelligent he is than the Sheikh,
which is the case, but he's a rogue as well & an honest fool is better than a clever scoundrel on the throne. Went out
a drive in the evening. The Captain still staying at the Agency & very heavy on the hands in the social way. He eats &
sleeps heavily.

Wednesday Sept 1st

Got home early from office for once in a way. In the afternoon we drove out with Mahomed Khalil to a place called
Kurzakhan where I looked at a water channel that is to be repaired. I walked & M rode a donkey. Really quite
interesting, & a place I had not been to before. Met out there by the Shaikh of Rafaa, sat for some time in the shade
of a mosque drinking coffee & discussing the job with local inhabitants. Then drove back arriving rather late, after
dark. Daly in despair on having had cable from Prideaux saying that he & Secretary arriving on Friday. Daly detests
Prideaux & has talked almost unceasingly about him & his innumerable defects so I expect it will be rather a trying
visit. The Captain doesnt care for him either, from all accounts he is just the "Cadiz type" very dothery & scared of
being responsible & always out to put blame onto his subordinates. Cool weather still.

Thursday 2nd [September]

Office first, then went on board the Cyclamen to interrogate the Mullah who is a prisoner on the ship. Got nothing
out of him. Then had lunch with Perryman, the Captain. He eats too much, but a very good meal. The Captains of
these boats have a very dull lazy time, messing alone always being too superior for the wardroom. Slept in his cabin
all the afternoon, which was very hot, & after tea came ashore. Walked with M round to the Customs & then went
on motor drive calling on the Sheikh as we passed. The Sheikh keeps very poor "state", unless he is expecting anyone
the servants are dressed in very grubby clothes. There is no big "Meglis" (council room) & he receives people in the
porch with mud benches along the sides which are covered with carpets. Lately when I was there waiting for Sheikh
H and Abdulla, the brother, came in. I was sitting on a carpet covered bench. H sat down on the uncovered one
opposite so I suggested his coming over to the carpeted one, he replied "probably the carpet is dirty, this mud bench
is swept occasionally at all events".

Friday Sept. 3rd