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9 February 1912 — Cairo | |
Friday. 9th [February 1912]. Eda went out to consult an aurist who has a system of curing deafness by making vibrations on a kind of musical instrument in order to strengthen the muscles of the ear. She is to go twice a day to have this music played into her head. Lord & Lady Kennard came to luncheon– He stout with fair beard & jolly manner—she kindly, spare & chirpy. Lord K. told us how he had called a day or two ago on Mr Pierpont Morgan & told him that he was trying to get £30000 towards building a place in London for the Young Men’s Christian Society– Mr Morgan said quietly “I will give the last ten when you have got the rest.” He speaks of thousands of pounds as we do of shillings. After lunch Lord K. carried off Lord Kennard to his room & Lady K. sat out on the loggia talking with Eda & me– When they left just after 3 Lord Kitchener came & said he was free & would take us to the Bazaars so we got ready at once & at 4 we started driving in the open carriage preceeded by 2 running saices in very smart array. They are barefooted, & wear kind of white kilts with red embroidered waistcoats, fez on the head & holding a wand in the hand. They run at a kind of easy trot in front of the carriage & shout loudly whenever they come to any obstacle in the way of their master’s carriage. When I came first to Cairo sixteen years ago there were many saices to be seen– The general public had a right to have one saice—only Consuls Genl could have two. Since the time of Lord Cromer & the advent of motors, they have fallen into disuse & now Lord Kitchener is the only person who has them having revived the use of them. We went to the Mausky to Cohen’s shop & others & Lord K. looked at specimens of irridescent pottery & glass & brought some away to decide on. Just before we started to the bazaar a man brought him some persian pottery & Rhodean plate to look at & he was tempted to buy. They do not appeal to me & are mostly in a bad state & tremendously repaired. I did not see anything to tempt me in the Bazaars but was amused & interested to watch Lord K. bargaining. His interest in the Bazaars evidently caused much excitement & raised hopes in the shops. The police saluted him & kept the curious from crowding him. We returned to the Agency after 5 & had tea in the Loggia & then Eda went out again to her aurist– In the evening the card table having been brought in for Eda to play patience Lord K. said we had better play bridge. It was in vain I said I did not know how to play, he said he would teach me– Capt. FitzGerald being out—Lord Colum made a 4th. Luckily Eda knew how to play for neither Lord Colum nor I had any idea of it. However Lord K. & Eda were immensely amused & we had a very merry evening. Once Lord K. who was my partner, came & sat by my side & showed me how to play—& naturally we won the whole evening. | |
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