Eric Byrd’s Reviews > Iris Origo: Marchesa of Val d'Orcia > Status Update

"In December 1909 the Cuttings boarded a private dahabiyah, a present from Bayard's father, and sailed up the Nile, taking with them a close friend, Gordon Gardiner, a Dr Bishop and a nurse, Iris, and her governess, Mademoiselle Nigg, and a crew of ten. There was also a singer for the crew, who took opium and only sang when he was in a good mood."