Basrah [Basrah, Al (Basra)] Nov 8 Dearest Mother. I am going up to Qurnah [Qurnah, Al] today for a day or two and shall miss this week's mail, so I write you a line before I leave. I'm going up in order to see various shaikhs and get their tribal history from them in order to finish a bit of work we have been preparing about the lower reaches of the river. It's rather fun. I've got the Political Office launch on which one can live if one wishes but I shall probably dine and lunch with the Assist. Pol. Officer at Qurnah. And this is merely to say that I'm quite well and flourishing. Your affectionate daughter Gertrude