C.P.O.'s Office Basrah [Basrah, Al (Basra)] Oct 21 Belloved Father. I have just received Mother's letter of Sep 20 and yours of Aug 17! the latter having taken a trip to Amarah ['Amarah, Al] and back. The postal arrangements are wildly bad and one's letters are delivered at haphazard. Mine go habitually to the 3rd General Hospital - fortunately it is just outside Basrah so that I get them back without unreasonable delay. Under these circumstances it doesn't seem to matter much what address you put on them, but I think the above is now the best - would you kindly tell Smith and Sons. We were enlivened this week by the visit of a bishop, my Lord of Nagpur - and oddly enough he knows you. He travelled with you and Moll on the China when you were going to Sicily in 1903 and sent you many messages. I think his name is Chatterton. I dined with the I.G.C. one night to meet him, but indeed I met him often, for he was staying at the Political Office. Quite a pleasant bishop. I have now altered my mode of life. I breakfast at home at 8 AM, get to the Pol. Office between 8.30 and 8.45 - it's only 10 minutes walk - have coffee and sandwiches there at 12 and a sort of high tea at 3. I find one gets through much more work that way and wastes less time. When I begin to feel really hearty again I shall ride before breakfast. The kind I.G.C. takes me out motoring very often of an evening when he goes to inspect railway sidings or hospital sites, or what not. I've just come in now from motoring through the desert and down to Bait Na'amah where I paid a visit on all my doctors and nurses. Nice people. Your weekly letter has not come - it may have travelled elsewhere, but last week you told me of the wealth which was lying at my bank.* It's quite preposterous. Please pay yourself back the £400 or whatever it was that you advanced me last year. If ever I want money I can always ask you for some, bless you! and meantime why should it stay there doing nothing. It will give me acute pleasure to think that you are recovering some of your bad debts! If only the war lasts perhaps you will recover them all, and me living so virtuously on my income. You sent me also the plan of the officers' club which I think charming. Do let me subscribe as I suggested. So many people here ask me for books about the country and I haven't any - nor are there any really. But I would be very grateful if you would tell some bookseller to send me 2 copies of the vols in the History of the Nations series dealing with Babylon and Assyria, and any others of that series which touch this part of the world. Also the English version of Koldewey's Babylon - the German, which I have at home, would be no good to my applicants. Anyone who wants to learn, let them learn. Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude
* A delightful long letter dated Sep 13 talking all about Newcastle.