Wednesday
Chiswick
Dearest,
I thought of you last night when we were listening to ‘The Brains Trust’. Were you putting the final touches to the nigger doll? I was very intrigued by the unanimity with which the ‘B.T.’ chose ‘War And Peace’ with ‘Pickwick’ as second choice as the novel they would have been most proud to have written. Have you read ‘War And Peace’, and if so what is it about and what were your reactions to it? I’m interested to know more of it.
When I got your letter yesterday and felt the enclosure in it I thought the office had coughed up, but it was a letter from Ralph Oliver. He and Percy are evidently stationed somewhere near Warrington waiting to go overseas. I have told them to drop you a line and call on you if they would like to, and I have said that if they are still there when I get my leave I’ll fix something up with them. I’d like to see them again before they go abroad.
Don’t worry about Michael wanting a crane. With the barrow and the fort – you’d better ask Dave how that is getting on, by the way – he is doing very well indeed for a wartime Xmas. I’m glad Wendy is getting a sewing box. I had thought on those lines but turned it down some days ago. By the way, did you ever thank Audrey for the flowers and eggs she sent on the day you were going to Limedale? Fancy meeting Norah and Ivor. Are they spending Xmas at Waterloo or at Blackpool?
I know only too well what you mean about missing me during the Xmas preparations. I shall feel it most on Xmas Eve, but thank God I shall be working then and will not have too much time to dwell on it!
Yes, I’m interested in Mother’s confession and will try to find out if that is where Dot got her idea from. I’ll let you know the result. Mrs Allen has fallen from favour earlier than we expected. These newcomers usually last a month, anyway. Only Mother could cross an Oxford drawl with a Scots accent. And Glasgow at that! Well, love, I think those are all the points to answer in your letter.
I did a little more shopping yesterday and got a feeding spoon for Patsy. It only cost a couple of bob so I’ll send it in with the parcel of things for our children. I will warn you by letter when to expect that parcel, by the way. Probably at the beginning of next week. I also got a small coat decoration for Wendy and that elusive comb in case. I went to the Royal Borough of Kensington where you come out of the station into an arcade with Derry & Toms on one side and Pontings on the other. Pontings is a huge place but somehow a bit more like our Liverpool stores, although they have several “watertight” departments. After visiting there I had to suspend my shopping activities until pay day!
And now, love, rather abruptly I’m afraid I must leave you for today. I hope your arm continues to improve, but for goodness sake don’t go and overdo things in your enthusiasm.
Bye until tomorrow, angel. I still love you. All my love.
Ever your own,
Arthur X
Dec 161942