2110-2-16-20

Oct: 20: 16 Adv^d. G H-Q B A in France

My own little darling

I do hope you have got my later letter telling you that I was all right again & had enjoyed greatly being in hospital. I got a kind little epistle from you this morning, but I am afraid you have been awfully worried. You may be quite certain that I will come straight home the next time I fall seedy, but I hope that won't be for a long time. I am living very carefully. I had letters from Mother & Walter this morning. Alastair is going off any moment to join the Royal Scots as a captain.

A J. B [Balfour] is coming here to night & I am going to take him out to-morrow. I greatly look forward to seeing him. I won't take him with[in] a mile of a shell; he is too precious. Had it been certain other politicians we

wot of I would have had them into the Schwaben Redoubt & given Providence a chance.

Yesterday was an awesome day of rain. To day it is bright blue sparkling weather & very cold. I have got a stove in my little office which makes it very comfortable. My servant now lives beside me in my billets, so the events of last Saturday night will not occur again.

Tommy Nelson has had his portrait painted by Laszlo in 3 sittings. L does officers on leave on special terms in very short time. I wonder, if Greenmantle does well, whether you & I should not both be painted, before the hand of age grips one too tight.

By the way my best address is that given on this letter. I am waiting on (1) a good electric torch (2) more leather bootlaces. Would you send me a lot of envelopes of assorted sizes, none very large, & most the size of this one

Much love to the blessings & your beloved self

Your ever devoted

John