Wednesday
Glasgow
My darling,
This week is beginning to fly and the lads are already numbering the days off and by the time you get this there will be only a fortnight left. The feeling is that we will go on draft from here on Friday 23rd but I don’t suppose we will know definitely until next week. As soon as I am certain I’ll let you know.
John Dagg’s aunt has invited us both to go over to stay the weekend at Rothesay so we should have a pleasant change. If only the weather is decent it should be very nice for I have always wanted to see the Kyles of Bute. We can only hope that the weather is decent. Since we came back we have noticed the difference in the temperature. It is degrees colder here.
I have just read your letter, darling. It would be hypocritical if I said I was sorry that you are not stagnant. Because of this blasted war I can’t say I’m sorry, but what I am really sorry about is that you should be so bitterly disappointed. With you being not merely willing, but so desperately anxious to have another child, I feel terribly guilty for robbing you of that joy. When I come home again we will talk it over. In the meantime find out from the W.V.S., or anyone else who may be able to help you, just what grants you can get and then when we do talk it over we will have some idea of where we are working. This business is going to become an obsession with you if we are not careful and if I’m going to be away from home any length of time it has got to be dealt with. My chief objections are: (1) war babies are very often a mistake because of the uncertainties of the food position; (2) there is the ever-present danger of bombing; (3) I should much prefer to be on hand during the whole period of pregnancy; (4) expense. Some, if not all of these arguments can be defeated, or talked out of court for they are MY views and not necessarily yours. You have every right to press this point and what I want you to do is to marshal all your arguments for when I come home and if you can convince me – or “convert” me – to your point of view then I will spend seven days and seven nights TRYING my best to fulfil your desire! I should say my greatest objections are that we have, as yet, no indication that air raids far heavier than we have yet known will not be delivered this autumn. If I could be certain on that point I would be nearer conversion. The other great point, and one I have not mentioned to you as yet, is that we don’t know whether I shall have to go abroad. If I do have to go overseas there is always the faint possibility, which I cannot ignore, that I may be bumped off on the way there. Then you are a widower with an unborn baby which means that you would be prevented for a period of about 18 months at least from getting into the labour market. Then, finally, you would quite possibly rush out to work before you were properly fit. Sweetheart, I’m not writing all this to add to your depression, nor yet for the sake of being dramatic. They are wartime possibilities which have to be faced. I want you to face them and get all your arguments marshalled. Then when I come home for leave we will get all my old letters out, have a night of sentiment and then thrash this business out. How would you like that?
Now, darling, I’m afraid I’m going to be late as I must fly. I’m glad Wendy is better. Take care of yourself for me, angel, for I do love you, in spite of my being so selfish about this business of an addition to the family.
Bye, precious, until tomorrow. I do adore you. All my love, angel.
Always your own,
Arthur X
Oct 071942