May 28. Baghdad. Dearest Mother. I'm so glad to hear from your letter of May 12 that Aunt Maisie has found a house in London. I don't see why she should not be very happy there. You ought to have had a letter from me - I have written every week. As for Australian posts, I don't believe that even Father could understand their vagaries.
It was very nice having Arthur Villiers. I met him and Mr Keith Falconer, with whom he is staying, at the Museum on Sunday morning and took them afterwards to see some of the sights of the town. They were so intelligent about them and interested in them that it was a real pleasure to be with them. They also dined with me and next day I took them to tea with the King. They have now gone to Persia, but we are to dine together when they pass through on their way back. Thank heaven, I hear that Cook is opening an office here so that I shall no longer be the sole agent for tourists.

I dined with the A.V.M. on Monday to meet the King - a pleasant party. We sat out of doors on the terrace over the river and played bridge after dinner. H.M. has greatly improved as a bridge player his only difficulty being that he can't remember which are clubs and which are spades.

You do have strange dreams, don't you. I wish I dreamt, it must add to the interest of the night.

I have written to Father to Port Said. I must say I'm glad to think of his being nearer. Australia is altogether too far away. Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude.

Don't you think Australia sounds a horrid place?