Baghdad March 25 Dearest Mother. Yesterday the news of Uncle Lyulph's death was in the telegrams. I feel very sad about it although one could not wish that he should go on living for all their sakes. You will tell me how Aunt Maisie is and what she is going to do - I have written to her. I wonder if Arthur will be able to live at Alderley - death duties will be very crippling.
The Secretaries of State arrive tomorrow and we seem to spend our time in the office making arrangements for their parties and sightseeings. I hope they will be as nice as Mr Hilton Young who is charming. Ken and I took him out to see birds on Sunday afternoon - he is a great bird lover - and he dined with me in the evening, Ken, Lionel and Iltyd to meet him. We all loved him. Tell Molly.

There is rather a stir and we feel that with all these bigwigs here some definite decision must be taken as to how to make two ends meet and other vital questions. At any rate it is well that they should open their eyes and look at facts instead of spinning impossible theories.

There is a second and quicker weekly overland mail which leaves here on Tuesdays and takes only 7 days. I think you will find that there is a second from London but I don't know if it is any quicker. I don't think I shall permanently change my day for writing and probably the Thursday mail from London suits you better as it chimes in with other mail days, doesn't it. But I will send a line by next Tuesday's mail just to see how it works out, and it is just as well to know that a second mail exists in case of need.

I like the Fog on the Moor and shall be interested to hear how it goes. I didn't guess that it was the husband who was killed - do you think the convict got off? If it is well acted it ought to make your flesh creep.

J.M. [Wilson] and I had a pleasant night at Kish, did our work successfully and got back without any motor trouble, which is rare for us. The finds aren't very good, at least they are good of their kind but it's rather a boring kind, nothing of any great importance. I have a feeling that Kish is not going to yield much and I am sorry for the excavator, Mr Mackay, who is working very well and carefully without much to reward him. I spent Sunday morning arranging the new things in the Museum with Madame La Caze (whom I could easily have done without) to help me. Now she has gone to Basrah [Basrah, Al (Basra)] I'm pleased to say. As I have observed, there are too many helpless women rolling round.

Goodbye dearest - I've got some people coming to tea and I'm dining out so I'm rather rushed. I must quickly write to Father. Your very affectionate daughter Gertrude

Yes, I'm sure the snapdragons will be nice if the peacocks don't sit on them.

[Note on back of envelope] The temp. has been nearly up to 100° this week.