Page 880 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

878

1934

Thursday 8th March

Fort, busy day in office, didn't get up till after 2 o'clock. Mohammed ... had a row with Mohd Khalil. In
the garden after lunch and then went to a "Reception" at the Skinners to meet "His Excellency". The
Secretary & son were there too, the son aged 17, is a dreadful looking spotty youth wearing plus fours and
a very affected but not American accent. He has been at Hailiburg & is going to Cambridge. The
Secretary was an equally unprepossessing young man, both looked very unhealthy. The Minister himself
is quite pleasant. He was many years in Eygpt & we discussed various people there. Another oil female
appeared, a Mrs Morris, rather a vulgar looking woman but well dressed. The American women certainly
dress smartly in public. They had tea in ... rooms, all very well done. Dined at the Agency to meet the
Minister & party. I really found him quite pleasant, his name is something like Knobensheue and the
Secretary is Morse - queer names! After dinner they showed the movie. Lyon, from Bushire, was there,
quite a nice fellow but not as Scotch as I had expected, he is staying with the Lochs & Loch thinks he
might do for an assistant for me, but I have other ideas. The party went on very late & we didn't go till
midnight, though the Lochs like early nights.