2110-2-16-4

c/o General Charteris GHQ B.A. in France

Sept: 27: 16

My own little darling

I simply don't know what to say about this business. I had a long talk with General Charteris last night, & I am dining with Sir Douglas to night. The work they want me to do is in their eyes important, and I think it is really important. It is pretty continuous work, though I should be able often to run home for a matter of 9 or 11 days at a time. The compromise I thought of won't work at all, I fear. Now, it is not for me to decide on a matter like this. I would far rather be back at the F.O, but if the F.O. are willing to release me thus far, I daren't let my personal wishes weigh the scale. It is for Grey to decide with Sir Douglas [ST: Haig]. I simply loathe the prospect of being so much away from you, but I don't believe you would want really to let that count in a question of public service. After all the war won't last so very much longer, and

you wouldn't like to look back & say that we - you & I - had declined a piece of important service. I know you would take that view if the work were dangerous, and I expect you will take it when the work is dead safe, only boring. Will you write me what you think, Muffly mine. I expect the decision one way or another will be given this week. In any case I will have to come home pretty often, though only for short times. But it will be a dull winter, for both of us.

I do hope you are all well. Will you send me a few things (1) some brown leather boot laces (2) a couple of small coarse towels & 2 finer ones. This is a queer little town & the billets are clean but not much else. I have a feather bed & a room 12 feet square.

I am going down to see Hubert Gough & Neill Malcolm this afternoon. Much love, my own little one, to you & the blessings

Your ever devoted

John