Agnes: April 25 – Dinner at the Turkish Embassy

Mr. Parsons and I stopped at Mme. Khan’s for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on our way to dine at the Turkish Embassy. At the dinner, besides ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, were the Ambassador, his son, his son’s wife, his daughter, Mirza and Mme. Khan, Dr. and Mrs. Williams, Dr. Fareed, the two visiting Persians, the Persian Secretary, Mr. Parsons, and myself. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was seated opposite the Ambassador. Mme. Khan was on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s right and the Ambassador’s daughter on the left. I was on the right of the Ambassador, Mrs. Williams on the left. The Ambassador had much conversation with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Turkish. The latter part of the dinner, the Turkish Ambassador drew out from his pocket a paper on which was written some sentiments of praise of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was not outdone, for in responding He likened the Ambassador to the sun. I hope to get the translations. The Ambassador’s nephew and some members of the Embassy came in after dinner.’

‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Ambassador remained in the room where the men smoked until Dr. Fareed joined them, suggesting to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that it was time to leave — so I imagined, as He very soon went down and we followed. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave me a small package to keep for Him for the present.