Baghdad {May} April 29 Dearest Mother. Poor Aunt Bella! and poor Nellie, starting on a life of her own at the age of 50 odd. Of course I know Arthur Villiers - I've known him for some 20 years. An introduction from Millie seems rather superfluous doesn't it. But perhaps I'm being a pig. Your visit to Newtimber sounds delightful but it wasn't nicer than my visit to the King's farm last week. Friday was the first day of the 'Id - the holiday at the end of Ramadhan) but it wasn't announced till 11 p.m. on Thursday an uncertainty having arisen as to whether the new moon had been seen. It's a bore having one's movements regulated by the vagaries of that luminary. I went to the King's levee at 8 a.m., called on the Ministers and the Naqib and caught H.M.'s trolley at 10 - quick work. He and a Chamberlain and an A.D.C., and Arab guest (Naji Suwaidi) and I all travelled up together and arrived about 2. It was so delicious, grass and wild flowers everywhere; you can't think what that was like after the arid deserts round Baghdad. The farm is just under the Persian hills with lovely views in all directions. On Saturday morning Iltyd Clayton arrived by train and on Sunday J.M. Wilson, so we made a regular house party. We walked and rode and motored, looked at all the crops, settled where the house is to be built (he is still in tents) and where the roads are to be made and were very peaceful and happy. It is very delightful being with the King up there; he is a perfect host and he puts politics out of his head and becomes the country gentleman very contentedly. It is excellent for him that he should have a place of his own to go to and when the little house is built it will be even better. For though it is very pleasant to be in tents at this moment, in another week or so it will be too hot. Even today I had a fan in my office for the first time. We got back on Monday morning and was very sorry that it was over.
Sir Henry is still away on tour and we are plunged in rather a welter for the Ministers are all at sixes and sevens and I'm afraid the Cabinet won't last much longer. It's not a bad Cabinet - I wish they would manage to get on together. At any rate we're better than the French - what do you think of Caillaud and all! and the mess they are in.

Hilton Young has left after presenting an admirable report. I only hope his advice will be taken by both the Govts concerned. I expect it will in the absence of any possible alternative.

Now I must go up and see the Queen about her washing silk dresses. Those sent by Moll are a great success. I must write to her about them. I've written a long rambling letter to Father about the visit to the farm thinking it would beguile him on the ship and that's why this one to you is rather scrappy. I shall be glad when my parents are happily reunited! I daresay they will too. Ever dearest your very affectionate daughter Gertrude