2110-1-15-8

Private

3, TEMPLE GARDENS, TEMPLE.

13: 11: 03

My dear old Nan

Many thanks to you & Mother for your letter. I have written to Willie at Port Said. I will try to get up at Xmas, if only for a week end. I feel very sorry for you both, but you will soon cease to feel his absence. Tell old Mother not to worry about money, and above all not to stint herself or you of ordinary comforts. I can always spare anything she may need.

I have heard from Cromer and he has written to both Milner & Strachey. He is very nice and says that he is very anxious to get me, and will endeavour to do so as soon as any opportunity occurs. But he says the opportunity has not yet occurred and he thinks it would be bad policy for me to take any temporary job. I quite agree and am quite content to wait till the way opens up. I have always been a fatalist

and believe that there is a Providence which manages our affairs much better than we could do ourselves. Everything depends on Gorst; and of course something may come of his visit next week. He is as anxious to leave Egypt as I am to go there. So I shall make all arrangements for staying on at the Bar for the present.

I had a very pleasant dinner with Haldane the night before last. He is getting horribly fat, but his activity, mental & bodily, amazes me. To night I am dining at the

Horners & I believe Milner is to be there. Poor H.E. is very much hustled and I think he will be glad to get on the high seas again.

Keep also the Egyptian business a profound secret, please.

With much love to all

Your affectionate brother

Jock