Basrah [Basrah, Al (Basra)] Feb 2 Darling Father. Thank you so much for your delightful letter of Dec 20 with its many enclosures. (I send an enclosure in return which may amuse you - burn it. I feel as if I were playing the leading role in the Emperor's New Clothes.) I wish your time at Bath had not been cut down. You and Aunt M. [Maisie] must have made such a charming couple - I envy the lucky people who met you. I hope she is better, Belloved creature, and that Uncle L. [Lyulph] is none the worse for his motor accident.
All news this week is overshadowed by Lord Cromer's death. I know I've been very fortunate to have had his friendship, but the loss of it makes a terrible void. I've turned to him so many times this last year since I left England for advice and help, and got them always in full measure. He and Sir Alfred were the two wise counsellors to whom I never went in vain; now they're both gone and I can't replace them. What a fine life he had - I like to think of that - a life of noble achievement, leaving a great work well done, an example and a standard for all time. I loved him very dearly, loved and admired and leant on him, and was prouder of having gained his affection and confidence than I can say. But you know and understand what I felt about him - and what I'm feeling now. Belloved Father, take a little care of yourself. What one loses makes realize more clearly than ever the preciousness of what one has.

I'm getting over the attack of softening of the brain of which I told you or Mother, at least getting over it a little. I ride pretty regularly in the mornings, going out soon after dawn - down into the desert and a canter along the edge of the palm gardens. It's often very foggy when I go out and the palm fronds are dripping wet as I ride down the garden paths; by the time I reach the desert the mists are clearing away, and before I turn home I can see the whole Arabian horizon. I get back to the office about 9 o'clock in better heart and above all in a better temper. War is very trying to that vital organ, isn't it. I've been doing some interesting bits of work with Sir Percy which is always enjoyable. Today there rolled in a whole band of shaikhs from the Euphrates to present their respects to him and incidentally they always call on me. Most of them I hadn't seen before, though I know them all well by name and by exploit; hard bitten rogues - but so attractive! - who have been in open reBellion against the Ottoman Govt. for 15 years and more, and have known control for the first time during the past 18 months. And really, do you know, they are beginning to answer to the rudder, which says volumes for the skill of the hands that have been at the tiller. An occasional murder with violence, I grant you; more than occasional thefts, and the payment of revenue conspicuous by its absence, for the most part - one can't alter the habits of a lifetime so quickly; still the thing's beginning, administration is born, and best of all there's an incipient confidence in their rulers, and a real personal liking. I know how much tact and sympathy on the part of the local man who has had the handling of them is implied thereby and I breathe a thanksgiving. I hope the recording angel[?] will make a point of contrasting Bellgium and Poland with the British Occupied Territories and I intend delicately to indicate to him the conclusions - in an article for the W.O. to publish if it thinks fit. I've been sorting out all the material which I gathered when I was up the Tigris and I have written a good deal about it, confidential and unconfidential, but not as well as it might have been done, I'm sorry to say. However I feel I've begun to see what the people are like in those parts, and if once the main framework is right the details will come after. Long acquaintance with tribes and with Ottoman conditions is a great help, but there's an immense amount to learn. You'll see a piece of mine in the papers about Ibn Sa'ud - I gather the India O. are going to publish it. No, after all I don't suppose you will, for they usually publish these things in papers which no one reads, which seems to me rather a waste of energy on all sides, and I wish I could have a free hand with Geoffrey Robinson who wouldn't need to be asked twice about some of them. If he would batter at the doors of Govt Offices he might get them to change their mysterious ways. It's not the setting forth that's of value, but the stuff is so new - a new bit of constructive work in the midst of the waste of war.

Mother's last letter is dated Dec 14, if I remember. I don't know what to do about poor Mr Naaman who has fallen on evil days. He knows plenty of people in London - the whole Asiatic Society - who might help him. So I think I'll let it alone, being so far away. Goodbye dearest parents - I'm ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude.

I must make another attempt to get shoes. I'll write to Yapp again. Otherwise I shall presently go barefoot. Wasn't it a tragedy about my bead satin gown. Of course it's just the very gown I most wanted. Damn this pen.