Page 799 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Office. Pack and Adam Freund, two European pearl merchants, arrived by air and Chisholm also came down en route
for Kattar where the Anglo Persian Oil Coy have a concession. Played golf in the afternoon, Ham & Dr Holmes were
also playing & afterwards we went back to the Bank. Ham spoke about his engagement to Mrs Steele's sister, but he
didnt seem to be very enthusiastic about it. They want to borrow one of the Shaikh's hunting lodges for the
honeymoon, just for a couple of days - rather uncomfortable as they are very primitive places. We had a few people
to dinner in the evening, the Russells, de Greniers and Steeles, a pretty awful party. The DGs go off next week on
leave to India, I don't think she likes the idea but she has to pretend to. Played tiresome card games after dinner &
everyone got very sleepy.

Friday 21st [July]

Chisholm came in before lunch, he is very nice & a gentleman & a most refreshing person to meet. He reminds me
slightly of both Gordon Reah and Christopher, something in the voice & manner. He is very amusing but rather
"Oxford manner" but myself I like it. Agency tennis in afternoon, some good tennis & Bridge after tennis. Freund
played, he plays well. M & I after winning for many months have not been able to win one single rubber this month -
curious how it happens like that, however on the whole we usually win. The parties at the Agency are very different
to when the Locks are here, now it is easy & lively, with them it is mournful and stiff!

Saturday 22nd [July]

Court. Took the family to Ain al Hakim & had tea there & bathed. Gastrell came too. The Steeles arrived & seemed
annoyed to see us. It makes me so cross to think that I found the place but now the other people have appropriated
it. It was very nice there and James swam a bit but not alone yet.

Sunday 23rd [July]

Court. The "Bideford" arrived. The Captain, Denison, was rather tiresome about calling last time but this time
Gastrell & I discussed it and decided that he should call on the Shaikh at the Palace & the return call to be at the
Agency. M called on Shaikh Sulman's wife, I went over to a little island south of Manama where I had suspicions that
people were making arak. I took Hamoud and a couple of Policemen & we went in a small sailing boat, a pleasant
expedition but unfortunately we drew a blank and found nothing. Then came back & we went to play Bridge at the
de Greniers. The municipality are putting up a taxi stand opposite the customs. When we reached the D Gs Freund
was there but Mrs D G attacked me very violently about the taxi stand, she became hysterical and sniffed and nearly
sobbed, all very unreasonable. I get so annoyed when women interfere. They should tell their husbands to talk to
me. She said I was very cruel & inconsiderate etc etc but I gave her no sympathy, de Grenier all the time hid in his