Page 31 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1926

Caught on my way back from the office by de Grenier, & when I was in the Customs Office Spence came blustering in,
in a furious temper, about some charges made on some cement he had imported & kept me talking for an hour and a
half, all the time he was simply shivering with anger - an ill conditioned bad tempered fellow, not a gentleman &
absolutely without tact or manner. very unsuitable for the job. He talks to the natives as niggers & shows how he
dislikes them which isnt the way to get trade for his firm. The Diving Court took up most of the morning & then I had
to finish at my office so not back till 2 pm. In the afternoon we went for a picnic with the Dalys it being the small
boy's birthday. Also present three small American children from the mission, singularly plain ill mannered and
untalking children. Encouraged Martin to fight with them. We picnicked on the beach near an old Portugese fort,
quite a pretty place. Got back rather late as we had a dinner party for the Spences & Dalys. Six people - just enough
for our resources. The table looked awfully pretty with the silver, candlestick etc, easily the best looking table out
here & quite good cooking too. The room is a little crowded but looks very nice indeed with our various oddments &
photos etc. about it. Quite hot weather but really not bad. I don't mind it but M feels it a good deal, & also not being
able to get out much.

Friday [7th May]

Did nothing in particular most of the morning. Two Arabs called, one of them the agent of Ibn Saoud, & de Grenier
came in too, drank lemonade & made foolish remarks. In the afternoon went to the Dalys usual tennis party but