I've got, so far, as part of my oriental branch a first rate little Persian, Mirza Muhammad Khan Bahadur, who is as clever as a bagful of monkeys and a delightful creature into the bargain. I've set him on to summarize the native press. Next I want a really good card index - I've my eye on the man I should like to put in charge of it. A Eurasian called Fernandez who has up to now been keeper of the records. I've no fears as to the way our information will be indexed.
Interviews take up such an immense amount of time.
It's great fun, I need not tell you, to be creating a new office with Sir Percy's unfailing help and approval. This last week it has made a good step forward out of chaos. I've had a terrifically busy day. They are not at all pleased with the jobs assigned to them, a state of mind which calls for a great deal of talk, apparently. It's time for Sir Percy to get out his magic wand which usually succeeds in stilling tempests - or storms in teacups which are perhaps yet more obstinate.