No: 21 Maycot. 7.2.40.

My Dearest,

I received yours nos: 22 and 23 on Monday morning – I did not reply yesterday (my usual day) as I had such a foul head last evening – its a bit better this morning.

I was so glad to hear that you were managing to keep warm, but I did feel anxious about you when you were recovering from ‘flu’ and the weather was so very cold. However, Serg. Ascolie, who is doubtless now back with you (poor fellow – no offence to any of you, though) assured me you were very fit and cheerful.

I told Mr. Wood you safely received his sweets and he was very glad. It was nice of him. The cigs. you received were undoubtedly those sent by Auntie and if you received no others I should write thanking her and pointing out the way they were sent, i.e. without note as to the identity of the sender.

I was glad to hear further news re your Commission and Mr. Chapple’s opinion.

Darling I am very grateful to Mr. Chapple for his reply to you recommending you for a Commission in the infantry. I can’t express how strongly I am against this and you must realise this, dearest. I think Mr. Chapple is extremely sweet and thoughtful. I shall, of course, be pleased to hear further news when you have any. I know that during training you would work very hard and I’ve the fullest confidence in your ability to assimilate knowledge and acquit yourself creditably at an examination.

Directly the weather clears up a little (its raining hard now) I will go into the M. Office re the Rates and see what I can do. Things are rather a squeeze just now. I’ve just paid some of the January rent and had to buy Jill a little outdoor set – her last year’s coat is really too small now and the nice one Wyn gave me for her is too big; I’ve bought her a little airman’s outfit – an all-in-one suit with fitting helmet – its dark green and she wears with it brown gum boots…

…the suit has elastic at wrists and ankles and keeps her very snug – she looks definitely “lambie” in it and walks along looking just like a diminutive airman, rather on the plump and perky side!

Wyn and I adored the story of the mouse in the mousetrap – I think you must all be rather niggly – its all the more amusing when one realises that you are all soldiers with the B.E.F. out there ostensibly on rather grisly business.

Dad is apparently home on 14 days leave, according to a letter I had from Jack and Joan this morning. He goes back tomorrow – unfortunately, he’s been suffering from a very bad cold and mother has been applying her various remedies.

You will remember I told you of Edie’s mother’s death a fortnight ago; well strangely enough, Granny Hines (Henry’s stepmother) died last Sunday and is being buried today.

To add a fragrant note, the first snowdrop in the garden is almost in bloom!

What a brave little chap!

Incidentally, darling, you never told me whether the snippings contained in one of your letters some two months back had any significance. I’ve still got all I received.

With the time of your leave approaching, Edie has become rather more chatty – I very much resent this as all the time you’ve been away, I’ve not received a kind word from either Edie or Pat (Nan and Jim are different) – its quite likely due to some sort of jealousy because Wyn is happy here and has been with me for nearly five months – but whatever the reason, darling, I don’t intend that apart from your saying “Hello” we shall either of us spend any time in there. I know you will agree with me. Whilst you’ve been away, I’ve learned things in connection with them that have hurt me very much and though now I’ve decided where I stand with them, and it does not worry me any more, I don’t intend that a little blarney on…

…their part shall soften me to the extent of our spending an evening with them. The less we ever have to do with them the better. I am not, of course, unfriendly when I meet any of them, but I don’t part with any information.

Well dearest, please let me have news of your leave very soon now (I know its not your fault, but it does seem a long time materialising!)

Jill sends you a big kiss and with lots from me wrapped in all my love –

Yours Terry.