Page 34 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1926

Monday 10th May

The political crisis has been averted! This morning the Sheikh came in rather late & was at once surrounded by
Sheikh Abdulla & Mohamed & others, after a few minutes I went in to see them & announced that there would be
no Joint Court (Daly & the Sheikh) today, as D was not coming down at all. Great effect - they all gasped. I also
said that Daly wished the Sheikh to meet him at the Agency on urgent business - at once. Still greater effect. The
poor old fellow looked decidedly bothered & the brothers surrounded him & whispered violently for a long time.
We walked down, the Sheikh's huge new car rolled up to the entrance of the Court, & as I saw that the brothers
wished to come too I turned & said goodbye to them & shook hands, hopped into the car, & drove with the Sheikh
through the town to the Agency.

Daly had 3½ hours talk with him & settled it all. He agreed to do everything - except give his wives a larger
allowance! so we waived that. In spite of it all the old fellow behaved with the greatest dignity. He has more
"presence" than any native I have ever seen. One recognises immediately that he is a gentleman & a personage, &
his manners are admirable. He really looks very impressive driving in his huge car & bowing to the crowds of
people who salaam to him.

In the afternoon Geake called for us & we went to Sitrah island in a sailing boat. Really a most delightful expedition.
There was just enough breeze to be pleasant. The boat was small, with a crew of three Arabs. Sitrah, from the sea
looked lovely, masses of palm trees growing right out to the water, & deep shady spaces behind them, so pretty,
wished I had paints with me to do a picture. We landed & had a picnic tea in a garden by the sea, in the shade of the
date palms, then Geake went off to inspect his Levy Corps men, & I had a bathe. It was gorgeous, an ideal bathing