Baghdad May 6 Dearest Mother. An uneventful week. The 'Iraq Army had its usual lunch and sports in the Maude Gardens on Thursday. It is always rather a nice function - a lunch of good Arab food, rice and lambs roasted whole the pièce de résistance, spread on long tables under the trees, and all the notables, Ministers and Arab officers, with the King and a sprinkling of us to eat it. The sports lasted not too long and were amusing because the men loved them so. Next day, I invited Nuri's boy - Sabbah who used to swim with us last summer - and Ja'far's boy, both back for Easter holidays from Beyrout [Beyrouth (Beirut)], to tea on the river bank above the river. Sabbah's friends, Squadron Leader Bass and Mr Cooke, both came, Iltyd and Ken and Nuri. The two boys were very nice. I dined with Mr Cooke to meet a pleasant American, namens Patten whom we had seen before on his way to Persia. He was on his way back, very indignant because the Soviet Govt had refused to visa his passport via the Caucasus [Bol'shoy Kavkaz] - at least they hadn't refused but they had neglected to reply at all, which came to the same thing. It was a hot night and we all sat on Mr Cooke's balcony with the Tigris Bellow us.
Sunday was a horrid, heavy day. Sasun Effendi came to make a four in the evening with Ken and Iltyd. Sir Henry has come back from his northern tour and I lunched with him on Monday. He was full of talk. Things aren't well on the northern frontier. The Turks are trying to stir up trouble and the people are afraid of their military concentration which doesn't show any signs of unconcentrating though the Kurdish revolt is said to be put down.

I'm afraid the King's private affairs are going to be troublesome. That rogue of a Mme Safwat Pasha (wife of the Chamberlain) is intriguing to get her daughter back from Syria. There was a great deal of malevolent gossip before the girl was sent to Beyrout last autumn and it's certain to begin again. Also I hear the Queen is worried about it. Ken and I talked it over yesterday and decided that he was the only person who could address H.M. on the subject - poor Ken!

I'm not going to write to Father today, for I can't catch him again before he reaches Port Said.

Yes, I think clothes are frightful, or at least they offer vast opportunities for frightfulness. I'm rather surprised that the Puits {du Liban} de Jacob should be good - I thought the Ch. du Liban such tosh that I made up my mind to read nothing more of his.

Aren't you sorry about the good Crowe[?]? The only consolation is that Willie takes his place and a position of great responsibility will be excellent for him now. Also there will be no one now to insist on our spelling 'Iraq with a k which was one of Eyre's hobbies. Ever dearest your very affectionate daughter Gertrude.