Baghdad May 20. Dearest Mother. The chief news this week is that which you already know, namely that the Council of the League will not receive the report of the Frontier Commission till the autumn session. It's a horrible nuisance to be kept another 3 months in suspense, but Sir Henry observes philosophically that as we have waited for 3 years another 3 months more or less doesn't matter. It is possible, also, that the Turks may not be able to maintain their military concentration (soi disant against the revolted Kurds) for so long, but I don't pin much hope on that. As far as our private information goes they don't intend to attack the 'Iraq in force, but I can't help fearing, as regards the Commission, that the longer they delay, the further they will be removed from reality towards fiction. However -
There has been little doing. The Cabinet, after nearly tumbling off its perch, has been propped up again, thanks to the united efforts of the King, Sir Henry and Ken; but the Ministers are at sixes and sevens and if it lasts till parliament meets next it is about all we can hope for. There are so few people here fit for Cabinet office that when one lot goes it is difficult to find another.

I had the usual Sunday dinner, with Col. Joyce as the fourth; and on Monday I dined with Ken - two of his officers from the provinces were in, both friends of mine, and we had a cheerful evening. Last night was less so; Ken and I went out into the desert about dusk to see Iltyd's 'Iraq artillery practice firing star shells. Just as night fell we were enveloped in a raging dust storm; we got home as best we could, almost blinded by dust. The subsequent night was disgusting, the wind so hot that one couldn't sleep out of doors and the house so stuffy that one could scarcely sleep inside. Weather of this kind cannot be described; it must be experienced.

So far as heat goes, it has not been bad - only once over 100 I think - but south wind and dust storms have been unusually frequent and they take the stiffening out of you more than heat.

I'm glad you foregathered with Mrs Amery - she is a nice little thing, not exciting. They are vey happy together, those two.

I'm not writing to Father this week as I shall catch him at Port Sa'id [Port Said] equally next week. It is a comfort he is coming nearer. Australia is dreadfully far away isn't it.

If I come hime, as I plan, for August and Sep. I don't want to pay a round of country visits on all my relations and friends, but to be peaceful at Rounton. So will you tactfully discourage other suggestions!

It's interesting about the Lloyds going to Egypt - I have just written to him. But a difficult task, I should say, in which the best success one could hope for would be to sit successfully on one's background.

Oh dear, I'm going to dine with the Queen tonight and it won't be festive. Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude

May 21 [21 May 1925] It was as I feared very dull, Mrs Drower, Mrs Sinderson, Mrs Bourdillon and I were the party, with Mme Jaudat, the Mistress of the Ceremonies, and Miss Fairley, the nice girl who teaches the family English. We were asked for 8 and at 8.45 were still making laborious conversation in the drawing room. I then suggested to Miss Fairley that dinner should be ordered. It was at last. Fortunately having sat so long before it we felt we needn't sit long afterwards and at 10 we went away.