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Letter from Gertrude Bell to her stepmother, Dame Florence Bell

Summary
Brief letter in which Bell notes that she has had an uneventful week, stating that she has written her news to her Father. She adds that she has recently read Sayonara? and God's Step Children by Millin?, before discussing the respective departures of Itlyd Clayton and Ken Cornwallis, both of whom she feels are her allies, and subsequently misses greatly. She states that Cornwallis, in particular, keeps her up to date on events in the Palace and Cabinet, and expresses her worry at what may occur in his absence.
Reference code
GB/1/1/1/1/33/19
Recipient
Bell, Dame Florence Eveleen Eleanore
Creator
Bell, Gertrude Margaret Lowthian
Person(s) mentioned
Cornwallis, Ken
Clayton, Iltyd
Creation Date
Extent and medium
1 letter
Language
English
Location
Iraq ยป Baghdad

33.330312, 44.400813

10

Baghdad July 20. Dearest Mother. This has been a very uneventful week and I have nothing much to add to my letter to Father, except that I've read Sayonara and think it excellent. Also another novel I thought very clever is God's Step Children by Millin - have you read it?
I'm so sorry about Iltyd Clayton. I have written to him this week. He wasn't at all well when he left. He was just recovering from one of the forms of typhoid. I do hope he isn't very bad. I've written to him this week. He is a very attractive creature, isn't he. I miss him very much; he is one of my great allies.

But Ken I miss most; we're so hand in glove over everything here and we work together so much. I never really know what is going on in the Palace and the Cabinet when he isn't here. And I have a very uneasy feeling that there is no one to control them while he is away.

I can't think who Pringle or Tindle can be.

Your letters are delightful. Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude.

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