2110-2-14-1

G.H Q

Sunday. Sept: 19: 15

My darling little Susie

This is the most gorgeous autumn day. I walked into St Omer this morning & back. [ST: Sir] Henry Wilson is off with the French, but I found Arthur Lee [ST: of Fareham], with whom I paced up and down a blazing street & discussed the things that concern our peace. It is clear to my acute intelligence that I should not stay long here. Whatever the move is, you can see nothing of it from this side. I should have gone to the French. I hope to get down to the 3rd Army & see the country between Arras & the Somme. Then I think I shall come back. There is no use my wasting my time here, pleasant though it is. So don't be surprised if I turn up pretty early next week. The whole complexion of things may change of course, but I don't think so. All this part of the line is a backwater, and I have better things to do than visit familiar trench lines, & hunt up my friends - though that is pleasant enough.

The people here are delightful. There is Major Simon, who served a long time in S. Africa, with whom I talk Dutch, & Captain Reynolds, an Indian officer & the best of fellows. The town is full of Guards, for the whole

Guards Division is quartered round here. I am going to try & see Bimbo Tennant in the 4th Grenadiers this afternoon. I think Pamela [Wyndham] would like it.

France is looking lovely, & I want to see the plateau of Albert & Amiens in this delicious autumn weather.

I do hope you are well & cheerful, my dearest little one. You might inform the Haldanes & Mrs Sellar that they will probably see me before long. I hope old Mother & Nan are well, & that the children flourish. I am in extraordinary good health & getting brown again.

Much love

Your ever devoted

John

I hope my letters are not delayed. They have thoroughly bedevilled the postal arrangements here.