Page 635 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

633

1931

nothing about it and really takes no interest in growing things only in having a garden that looks ornamental. Tea and tennis at
the Agency but as it rained hard there was no tennis. Prior I think didnt think people would come as he seemed very surprised
when the Mission arrived and was wearing an old pair of flannel bags and a blazer. D.G. behaved very queerly and kept on
going to sleep. He often seems to do that now when he goes out anywhere.

Saturday 31st [January]

Office, quite a lot of people came in but when I suggested that I should get on with some cases which they had come about
they all begged me to postpone them till after Ramadan. Though they all say that the fast this year does not try them as much
as usual, being cold weather, they seem even more disinclined than ever to do anything during the month. In the afternoon I
went out to Rafaa to see the new school. The place appeared to be absolutely deserted but I went in and had a look at the
building and just as I was leaving the Amir appeared, looking half asleep and very muddled and so I had to look at it all over
again. It is quite a nice looking place just at the entrance of the town on the left as one drives up the hill. Took a few photos
on my way there, I never succeeded in getting a good one of the place. It was quite fine but a good deal of water lying about
on the roads and the country has a faint shade of green everywhere which is the beginning of rain vegetation. Very cold
driving back, needed a coat. The Amir as usual asked me to stay to dinner but I refused and said I would come one day before
I left, not in Ramadan. Rafaa looked very nice with the sun colouring the walls a bright pink.

Sunday 1st February 1931

Ali bin Seggar came in about a case, I had sent for him, he seemed very ill and walked with a stick, I saw how bad he was and
sent him home. He looked really very bad indeed but said he was stiff owing to the cold. Heavy shamaal and very cold.
Abdulla bin Jabr came in and talked much about the unsuitable behaviour of the Shaikh's sons who as he says do nothing but
try and get things, money, land and cars out of their father. He says now that the only one who is not like that is Abdulla.
Dined at the D.Gs. Went there early and played Bridge and stayed on for dinner or as D.G. put it "to knaw a bone" which
always puts me off. She had unpacked some of her belongings, some of the much talked of porcelain. Most of it she has left
in the cases but some that she has out is very valuable. She showed me some smaller pieces which I liked very much. It
certainly needs a suitable background and does not fit in with their room. D.G. seemed slightly sniffy about it, of course he has
no taste. She was very brisk with him. Walker, Braden and Steele were there. She has also brought out a very nice electric
fire which looks like a real one but it fused three times during the evening so evidently needs some special arrangement. She
doesnt seem to understand that light and power are really the same as she kept on saying that it needed power and wouldnt run
on light. Quite a good dinner and much cleaner than usual. The new boy who I sent out to them seems to be shaping quite
well but he doesnt understand D.G's arabic, and no wonder. Stayed very late as we played again after dinner. D.G. is already
beginning to feel important at the prospect of the P.R. calling on HIS WIFE.

Monday 2nd Feb.

Office. Went over to Muharrak in the afternoon in a sailing boat from the end of the new Muharrak road. It was rather a job
getting out from there as the current at the end of the road was very strong and a lot of boats bringing stone. Had a pleasant
sail across. Took the dogs. The buildings are very nice, it would make a pleasant place to stay at if anybody ever wanted to do