Baghdad Dec 14 Dearest Mother. I'm going to try to get a letter through by the special Xmas mail though I doubt whether I shall succeed for it's raining hard this evening and I don't think cars will run tomorrow. Anyhow, if it does get through, this is to wish you all a merry Xmas.
I've just had the little Amir Ghazi to tea, with his tutor and governess. The dear Sinbads came too. The train and soldiers I had ordered for him from Harrods had arrived last mail and were presented, with great success. Especially the train. He loves all kinds of machinery and in fact was much cleverer about the engine than any of us - found out where the break was and how to make the engine go backwards or forwards. We all sat on the floor and watched it running along the rails, following it with shouts of joy. Fancy a little Mecca [Makkah] child introduced to the most lovely modern toys!

The local papers today say that the King had a great reception at Mosul [Mawsil, Al]. I do wonder how it's going there and I'm thankful that Ken is with him.

There has been a heavy fall of rain this evening with wind and thunder, really unsettled weather. It is the first this winter and since it has come so late it may last, on and off, for the next fortnight and condemn our Xmas expedition. A horrid thought.

The poor Sinbads are rather sad. They had a most darling human little dog which they loved. She was bitten 3 weeks ago by a cur dog and has died of rabies. And they, poor things, have to undergo for the next fortnight the Pasteur treatment, during which you mayn't take any excercise [sic] whatever. Also it leaves you feeling for a bit horribly heavy and drowsy. Isn't it a bore for them! However, it would have been more of a bore if they had had to go off to India for treatment, as they would have been obliged to do two years ago. Our fully equipped hospital is a great blessing.

It is very queer to have the damp air blowing into my house after drought since the beginning of May. This morning, even, I had to shut my windows because the wind clothed my house in dust.

Darling, a thousand good wishes to you all. Your loving daughter Gertrude.