March 30 Dearest Mother. This is a line to go by the new Tuesday post and see how and when it arrives.
There are so many Secs of State and so many parties for them! On top of all turns up Lord Monkswell with a newly married wife - a nice little thing daughter of those Gestrells[?] who were at Berlin, you remember. I showed them round a bit yesterday (Sunday) morning and had them to lunch. Lord M. does nothing, absolutely nothing at all and seems quite content to exist beautifully. I recall Lady Edward's saying that Moll if she married him would have the satisfaction of being Lady Monkswell! It's the only satisfaction she would have had.

Sir John Shuckburgh is so nice. Ken and I took him yesterday afternoon to picnic in some palm gardens and had such a pleasant talk with him. And Mr Amery is being very nice too. They don't seem to have got much settled yet but anyway they are all pleased with one another.

The King gave a huge reception on Saturday evening - very well done - and tonight we dine officially at the Residency. Ken, Lionel and I dined also on Friday and as I lunch with Sir Henry every day I see a good deal of their Exes. Mr Cooke and I took them to Kadhimain [(Al Kazimiyah)] on Saturday and gave them tea with the Mayor. They are very satisfactory sightseers and always appreciative of everything. Very appreciative too of Sir Henry's hospitality and agreeableness.

I am writing in the office and haven't got your last letter by me so I forget if there was anything to answer; if so I'll answer it by Thursday's mail. Your very affectionate daughter Gertrude