Page 657 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

655

1931

Saturday 4th April 1931

Court. Drove in the afternoon with Parke out along the Budeya road as far as Yatim's garden but did not go in, in the evening a
farewell dinner at the de Greniers to Walker. Quite a pleasant show, Mrs Jordan was not there as she is ill again this time from
eating pork off the boat after keeping it three days, madness in a place of this sort. Tiffany was really very bright and amusing,
she quite sparkled. A poor dinner, messy.

Sunday [5 April]

Office, then went to church. A very few people, only the doctor and Parke apart from the Mission. Not an inspiring
service, Mrs Dame sung a solo, quite well. Went back to the office and then to lunch with Barden, a man belonging to
Mespers and his wife were there, he is the son of Sir John Simon, she was a funny little thing very heavily made up
with plucked eyebrows and no stockings, she looked about 20 and he was quite young. His job is some sort of
Inspector of the Gulf trade. They were quite amusing, after lunch he went with Walker to the office and I stayed at the
bank with her and Barden, talked about her mother in law's book, then retired to Barden's bedroom and had a sleep, he
sat and talked. Then the others came back and we all drove out to Aali and then they came back to the Agency to tea
with me. She said she thought the room very ugly. Saw them off onto the boat and said good bye to Walker who left
by it. Barden and I went into the D.Gs and played Bridge. D.G. seemed cross at not having met the Simons.

Monday [6 April]

Court, Siadi case. I am very busy these days and seem on the rush all the time. Shaikh Abdulla came in for a short
while. Motored in the afternoon and went in to see Parke for a while.

Tuesday [7 April]

Office, had Jordan for some time and many people to call on me. Got on with the Annual Report. Slept in the
afternoon and then played Bridge at Mespers. Got back late for dinner.

Wednesday [8 April]

Very busy morning, had Parke and D.G. most of the morning and also Shaikh Abdulla. The Biladya asked me to
attend a special meeting of the Meglis to talk about electric affairs, I refused, absurd asking me just when I am leaving.
D.G. was very pompous. The Shia Kadi, Shaikh Ali, called in the morning. Parke came back to lunch and later I had
Barden and him and the doctor to play tennis. Good tennis, afterwards we played Bridge. Dinner at the Hakkens, a
perfectly uneatable meal and some foul fluid to drink.