Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?

Maxwell went to Basra, to the Consulate-General to collect and answer his mail from Europe. He had to wait for three days before anything could happen. It took him a waiting period of five days. His mail didn’t reach on time. The call had to be booked 24 hours in advance in those times. Then he tried to make a telephone call but telephone line was not working properly on the first day. Next day it was some public holiday so it was not operational. Finally after a tortuous wait of five days his mail arrived.

For more answers visit to website:
https://www.tiwariacademy.com/ncert-solutions/class-10/english/first-flight-chapter-8/