Baghdad July 9 Darling Mother. I've written this week to Father on board the Moldavia at Port Said, c/o the P.&O. Co. It ought easily to catch him so I won't sent a letter via you to him but only one to yourself, in answer to yours of June 25. Yes, it really was rather thrilling, the tale of the ratification of the Treaty, wasn't it. Thank you so much for sending copies to people. On the other hand your accounts of Frances and the baby are delightful. And Nora and Geoffrey and all! Sir Henry goes on leave next week for 2 months. I have come to rely very much on his skill and wisdom and I shall feel a little anxious at not having him to lean on. Still, there it is; he ought to have a rest and I think it will do H.M.G. a great deal of good to see him. Ja'far's Cabinet is staggering into its grave and Sir Henry's last act is to prepare for the birth of the new one. Sasun will come back, I hope, as Minister of Finance, but I feel rather inclined to say: Was für eine Familie wird es sein! Naji Suwaidi is out and I'm very glad. He's the man you're not to make welcome. He's a worthless, specious dog. He came to say goodbye today and I was - all smiles - why not. I was so glad to be rid of him. But when he observed that he hoped to call on my family, I replied firmly that you would all be out of London. I had tea with the King on Saturday and a very long talk, mostly about T. Jordania and Palestine where, I think, things are going very ill. By the way Mr Philby seems to be making a lot of mischief judging by what I see in the papers. But disgruntled ex-officials don't usually cut much ice. They ought to cut none; they have mostly got an axe to grind. It's too hot to dine or give dinners, but Nigel dined with me tête à tête on Monday to have a comprehensive talk - it was very nice. We picnic every Sunday on the river bank after swimming and that's unfailingly delightful. We take a great fish which the servants roast over a wood fire, excellent food, a cold chicken and fruit, and we don't get back till after 10. I look forward to Sunday evenings. Besides that I swim two or three times a week between tea and dinner. The water is quite warm now with the temp. up to 116. You can stay in as long as you like. I love it. Otherwise I do very little - office 7 - 1.30, lunch with Sir Henry and then home. On Sunday I have an adviser or a minister to lunch as a rule. Not an eventful life - one estivates[?]. You can't do anything else with the heat closed down round you like a wall. I'm quite well, though. But I would give no small thing for a fortnight at Rounton. Saturday evenings I look forward to also for it's then the mail comes in and the delightful letters of my family. I dine alone and read them several times over. They're not wasted, I assure you. Goodbye dearest; next week I shall send Father's letter to you - probably to Rounton? Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude.