Monday
Chiswick
Hello Angel,
And thank you very much for my Whitehall letter on Sunday. Yes, it did arrive safely and was waiting for me when I got back from dinner. It really was a nice letter touching, as it did, on so many sides of home life from the garden and your Sunday walks – both interesting subjects – to your beloved new hat and the possible methods of thwarting the threat of vapours! What a variety of topics to be answered.
Yes, I think you did all that should be done to prepare an onion bed, but I think you will find either plants or sets a better proposition than seeds. Why not try some of each just to see the difference? That’s a good way of learning. I’m looking forward to seeing all you have been able to achieve when I do come home. Be careful not to thin the rhubarb down too much. Yes, you certainly seem to be ahead of last year, but if I were you I’d take the beet out now. They won’t do much now and might be harbouring eggs of pests.
I’m interested in Michael’s flannels. Did you ever have anything done with that serge I sent or not? And has he got a blazer to wear with his blouses and pullovers? If not, he might be cold for although the weather has been fine here it hasn’t been really warm enough for summer clothes. If he can go to Southport the change will do him good.
About Mollie – you know what my views are about her. For all that, you have a right to please yourself about going to see your own sister. I know you won’t expect me to get all enthusiastic about her, but God help her if she upsets you! And I mean that, for I’m growing less and less tolerant these days as you may have noticed. While you are there, give the Mother Superior my compliments and ask her who the British nuns are praying will win the war and who the Roman nuns are praying for! But that is really too hoary a chestnut. All I can say is that I hope the visit won’t make you unhappy, but if you feel you ought to go then do so by all means. There’s only one thing I would ask – I would like you not to let her have photographs of the children. You may think that childish, but there you are. Anyway, love, you said some very nice things about the things which have happened since you were last there. Thank you, angel.
Have you got your London hat yet? You are so rarely feminine in that sense in your letters that it’s a change to hear you enthusing about a hat.
As I have been feeling down in the dumps all day I have arranged to go out with the lads, which means that I have very little time to say all I wanted to say. But there is one important point: your idea of coming down Friday is good. So if Eric and Lilian can take Michael, will you arrange that? It will mean taking him over on Thursday. Get the morning train and I’ll arrange to meet it. Yes, I did arrange about the doll and am waiting for it to arrive. It should have been here today. I’m sorry to have to skip this last part of the letter but I’ll try to write you a really full letter tomorrow.
All my love, sweet. Take care of yourself. Less than a fortnight now! Will you please send my slops money by return? I’ll need it definitely in the next day or so. Sweetheart, I’m aching for you today. I don’t think I’ve ever missed you more.
Always your
Arthur X
Mar 291943