Mrs. Kenneth Penman
Maycot
12 Commonside
Keston
Kent

Birmingham

15.8.40

Darling,

I think they’re beautiful, honestly. I’m very proud of them; my two girls were duly examined by the whole section in the canteen where I received your letter this evening. Johnny Williamson’s verdict was “smashing.” I like the one “with the larger heads” best. I think, although Jill looks very impudent in the other one.

I hope you got my letter of yesterday quite rapidly. I have noted the ultimatum, darling, at the end of your letter—“whether or not etc.” The impertinence of it!

They asked for volunteers for Africa on parade this evening; I very nearly volunteered myself, then thought perhaps big game hunting wasn’t quite in my line. Anyhow, you have been warned.

We are going to another G.P. tomorrow to act as locum for yet another Battery whilst they go to camp; we are beginning to feel a little tired as we do not now…

…get any evening leave, not since August have we been so incarcerated, and we don’t care if anyone, as Tony’s fiancée puts it, “thinks it’s good for you.” That observation, darling, as you know, wouldn’t apply to me. I have been employing my talents lately, with a little of this:

[CARTOON OF ADOLF HITLER]

Remarkably good, don’t you think? If you would like to see any more of my “work,” don’t hesitate to say so.

The other night, I was on guard, and a little plump…

…blonde lady rolled up and said she was the bearer of Ministry issue sausage rolls. I said, “Aren’t you a one!” She said, “No, they’re for you and the other boys.” I reflected on the fact that it was remarkably kind of her and didn’t they take her a long time to roll, with what she looked at me rather pointedly and asked me what I thought of Birmingham. I said, “I think your pork sausages are wonderful.” To which she countered, “Were you at Dunkirk?” “Yes,” says I. “Oh!” says she, as if all was explained. I believe she thought I was a little touched. It’s remarkable how…

…sluggish, darling, is the provincial wit; they all take one so very seriously, I find.

I am rather at a loss, having just started a new sheet. Believing as I do that wastage of paper is a crime, in this connection please see copy of your last communication to me, dated the 12th instant. I will refrain from informing the authorities on this occasion. If it doesn’t occur again, and with the proviso that your next letter starts “My Beloved” or something equally appropriate.

It seems, darling, that I have…

…managed to get over the page, and I’ve now got quite a lot of room to tell you how much I love you.

There are no lines this side, as you will understand, sweet-heart, if the next few stanzas are a bit uncontrolled.

I don’t know what it is, I feel quite frivolous tonight. I feel just in the mood, darling, to sit on the floor with my head in your lap, with you stroking my forehead, and—and—and—well, to quote Michael Arlen—asterisks—dash it!

I’m very, very keen about you, you know.

K