Page 27 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1926

Thursday 28th [29th April]

An extra busy day at the office. Didnt get back to breakfast till nearly ten & to lunch till 2 pm. then Arabic for two
hours in the afternoon - so altogether not much spare time. The Sheikh has been persuaded, by Daly, to hand over
to me the management of his private income & receipts. We discussed it today for two hours & he signed a letter
to me instructing me to take charge of it all. He is to be allowed Rs 2000 (£150) a month as sort of pin money, all
other money is only to be spent after I have sanctioned the payment. It means that I shall be unpopular among the
merchants who swindle him now as I shall do all his buying for him. Of course its a big job & means much work,
but if I have the purse strings I shall have control over everything.

Friday 29th [30th April]

Stayed late in bed, read & wrote letters in the morning & went to the Dalys later on. They now have no tea, but
sandwiches and drinks after tennis. Had one poor sett & one good one. The usual collection of people present. It
really is a dreadful pity that they are not more attractive.

Saturday [1 May]