Baghdad Nov 5. Darling Father. As you may imagine, we have been having rather a rushing time, complicated by the fact that I had only just got out of bed. But I'm really beginning to feel well now.
The Richmonds all arrived on Saturday. My car broke down on the way to the station so that I didn't succeed in meeting them, but after telephonic communications, they all turned up in my office at 10.30. I took them to the Sarai, showed them the Museum, at which Herbert was thrilled; after which we called on several of the Ministers! We all lunched together at my house and Elsa and I spent the afternoon lying in the garden and talking, while Mr Cooke took Herbert and Mary on some wild round which they appear to have loved. I had the Prime Minister to dinner, Sasun Eff and J.M. Wilson - most successful. Elsa and Herbert are universally loved.

On Sunday we sat about in the sun in my garden till noon when I took them for a little sightseeing in the town and out to Kadhimain [(Al Kazimiyah)] to lunch with the Major, Saiyid Ja'far - you had tea with him - a nine course lunch. We saw as much of the mosque as one can see - the Sinbads were also of the party and came home to tea. Ja'far dined and my Minister, Muzahim, and my ex-Minister Sabih Beg.

On Monday morning they went to Ctesiphon and I to the office. We all lunched at the Residency - Esme is back and is being kindness itself putting her car at our disposal and so forth. After a tea party with the King, the Richmond family dined with the A.V.M., where Herbert is staying, but I didn't go as I felt still rather shaky.

On Tuesday Herbert flew to Kut [Kut, Al (Kut al Imara)] and back. Elsa and Mary went shopping carpets with Elsie Sinbad and Mr Cooke and we all lunched with the Sinbads. Then I gave a tea party attended by 10 ladies and two of their daughters, at which Elsa and Mary shone. I hear it is likely to be the talk of the town for the next month. They dined with Ja'far and had an exceedingly cocasse evening - I didn't go.

This afternoon, Elsa, Mary, the King, the Amir Ghazi, Sabih Beg and I all had tea with Haji Naji and walked about his garden - a delicious entertainment. Saiyid Husain Afnan and his wife are coming to dinner to play Mah jong. Herbert has flown to Mosul [Mawsil, Al] and won't be back till Friday. George arrives from his northern tour tomorrow morning and is being put up at the Residency.

I feel as I did when you were here that it is almost incredible that they should actually be in Baghdad. It is also incredibly delightful. Elsa is so delicious always. She is picking up Arabic and delights everyone with her efforts to talk it. Isn't she wonderfully quick and intelligent! And it has been so endlessly enjoyable to have her to talk to. I feel as if I had got things off my mind that had lain in it for months and months. She is amazingly well - never tired, eats enormously and is amused by everything.

I'll revert now to your letter of Oct 22 which we all enjoyed - similarly Mother's of Oct 21. What a reversal of all expectations the elections have proved! what a crash for the Liberals! I don't like it much but I notice that there's a general feeling of confidence in a Govt which is likely to remain in for a bit. The rise in the exchange in New York is very significant. I long to hear your views.

Now I must go and dress for dinner. Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude.

It has also been a great moment to meet 'Abdullah who has, of course, come too. He has many friends in Baghdad.