Page 644 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1931

to talk about the history of Bahrain and made a lot of notes while he was doing so. His father was quite a leading figure in his
time.

Sunday [22 February]

Worked in my upstairs office, several people came in, Steele, Abdulla bin Jabr and others, the latter told me that Shaikh
Abdulla had married again and also that he had cast off his lady Lulwa because she had been carrying on with the son of
Sulman bin Muttar. Went to call on Thomas but he was out so motored out to Essex point and then to Bridge and dinner at the
D.Gs. Prior and Thomas came in and he played a game of Bridge, not a good player. Parke was rather rude to him about his
play. Walker, Barden and Steele were the party. Lovely day, very sunny but very cold. Thomas had shaved his beard and was
dressed in some of Prior's clothes. I think he was disappointed that people did not talk about his journey but as a matter of fact
nobody here is very interested in it. I dont think he likes the people here.

Monday [23 February]

Forgot to tell the servants to wake me early so was rather late getting up as the office opened as usual. Ali bin Hussein came to
show the minutes of the next Municipal meeting. A very busy morning, lots of people at the office. There was a fire last night
close by near the house of the Kadi Shaikh Abdul Latif, at about two oclock. The noise woke me and I went out to see what
was going on, it burnt a lot of reed houses but they put it out eventually, a great crowd and many of the notables in dehabille.
Gardened in the afternoon and then the Shaikh came. He was very pleasant and talked about Shaikh Rashid's affairs, his father
in law, it seems that the old man has three "wives" besides his proper one and the Shaikh says they are all bad lots and always
have been and not proper wives and if the old man died they would claim some inheritance, he wanted me to do something
about them but its hardly my job. Then we went over to the Agency and stayed there some time. Prior without meaning was
rather rude as they brought tea in and he said to the Shaikh I suppose you wont have any, so he had to say "No". Then he went.
He brought a bisht as a present to Prior. Thomas came when he had gone and then Prior went out and I stayed awhile talking
to Thomas. I think myself he is rather worried about what will happen about his having behaved so badly about his job. He
got a wire when I was there and looked very put out about it. He is very busy sending off wires and letters and arranging a
press campaign at home to make the most of his trip. His servant is a great friend of Mohamed's, my cook. Bought a nice
black and white Jask carpet for Rs 11/-. Does well for a bedroom or nursery. Prior is having a wooden floor put down in the
drawing room at the Agency. It will improve the room.

Tuesday 24th Feb.

Biladya meeting at Manama. A long talk about the marsh at the back of the town, both I and Prior had written letters about it,
very strong ones. Kozaibi seemed annoyed but it was decided to get a pump at once and start on it at his expense. A long
meeting, Prior went off before it was over, he always seems personally annoyed at their going on so long, after all they have
work to do. Went out in the car in the afternoon and stayed some time looking on at a football match, quite a big affair. They
scored no goals as usual and had a few very brisk arguments. Walker Barden and Holmes and Steele were there, all having
forsaken the Mission tennis, only the D.Gs went as I heard later. Parke and the D.Gs came in for Bridge later on, good games,
I won 20 points. Cold evening. There was a little rain last night. Mrs D.G. showed her irritation with him very strongly.