Saturday
Chiswick
Dearest,
Perhaps I’d better start by explaining that I know more than you do why the enclosed envelope should not have been delivered before today. The only suggestion I can make is that in future you should write the word “station” fully, despite the fact that the P.O. have, in their pencilled redirections, used exactly the same contraction. I’m just sending the envelope as a matter of interest. God knows where it has been in the meantime.
You seem to have had a real struggle to find a hat. Never mind, I’ll tell you if it has been worth it. But I’ll certainly fall for you – you know that. Do you mind if I say I’m far more interested in your other purchase? You are an angel! After that we’ll have to find a bench in a park one night. I’m sitting in a deckchair in St James Park just now, so I’d better leave that subject, I think, before I disgrace myself!
I’m sorry to hear that you are worrying about my reactions to Mollie. I most certainly have referred to your visit. I remember distinctly writing that you could hardly expect me to shriek with joy about her but that you had a perfect right to please yourself as, after all, she is still your sister. Beyond that, love, I don’t think there’s anything more for me to say on the subject except this – I should imagine the train service on Sunday would be far more inconvenient than on the Thursday. On your last day I will have to be away from the Lion about 8.30 so you could leave about the same time, find an early train and get there and back by 2 o’clock if it is only a 40 minute journey. If you got there at 10 o’clock and left at 12 you should manage that alright.
I have just been to the Lion and I’m fair wore out already with walking. The weather is really warm and I hate cities in hot weather. My feet are wringing wet. I have booked from April 9 to April 14th inclusive, so now you know where you stand. A notice is exhibited saying that to comply with the law, visitors staying 5 or more consecutive nights must surrender their ration books. The charge for children, by the way, is 6d a night under 11 years of age and 1/- over 11. But they have to stay in the same room! So everything is fixed and all we are waiting for is Old Father Time. Still, it won’t be long now. By the time you get this you will be up to your eyes in the preparations for Wendy’s party. I do hope it goes well. As I have just posted her parcel of chocolate, you should get it by the same post as you get this. Be sure to let me know in what condition the chocolates are when they arrive. I want to know for future “consignments” – if any!
The world and his wife seem to be promenading in the park today. Well, they’re not all promenading. There’s quite a few Canadian soldiers lying on the grass. They are perfect gentlemen. They lie on the grass and let the girls lie on top of them!
Yes, love, you are right about the time while Wendy was on the way. I can remember quite well how gently John used to enter the portals and the way he always paid his compliments right on the doorstep, so to speak. I can remember, too, how amused Rees was at your consternation over the suggestion that we should stop oats before the seventh month. There’s one thing, he has never been under any illusions about our relationship in that respect, has he? Which may be one of the reasons for his obvious liking for you. It must be refreshing for him in these “hard boiled” times to get hold of a patient so natural in her outlook on these things. So many women adopt a pose of one sort or another and almost none admit any sense of enjoyment. Chiefly the poses are of repugnance or resignation to a man’s animal will!
Well, angel, it is almost tea time so I must away to wash and shave. Thank you for your very nice letter today. Soon you’ll be able to say all these things – and lots more – to me. Only about 4 days after you get this letter. Whoopee! God knows how I’ll ever manage to leave you to go to work on Friday.
Well, sweet, I must away now. I’ll post Wendy’s doll on Monday morning so it should arrive on Tuesday alright. My love to the children. Tell them to behave while you’re away. Bye for now, sweet.
All my love,
Arthur X
Apr 031943