1021 DOCKS OPERATING COY., R.E.  C.M.F.

DEAREST,
AT LAST, its come, an air mail letter card like this, use them hard.    It was dated the nineteenth-twentieth which is jolly good.   News of Dickie at last, and under the skill of your descriptions he comes into shape and form, especially the birth mark.  Yes it will have to go in his A.B. 64 in due course. What is the shape of it?    Is it my fault?    Oh dear.    But he need never know perhaps, keep it from him. Lean and long? And a poor start, not because you were poorly bad too bad I hope. But plumping up he is, and browning he is, and sparkles he does and nearly smiles he does and that vision is too much, of Christopher pushing Dickie in a pram to the cricket ground. How right for Christopher to take Dickie to the cricket ground. Christopher approving and being intrigued is very fine, I am fond of him.   He will be a Good Influence for Richard, who may not need any influence for good, of course, being your child.

I expect more details are on the way, previous to the airmail. Such as hair if any, the day’s routine, any interest, Candy and R.J., Granny Annie and R.J., Grannie Rose and R.J. R.J. and the world at large and Uncle Jack in   particular.   You and R.J., Croonings, washings, dressings, bubblings, sleepings, feedings, and all and all.   Also you and R.J.    The news was so gladly lapped up here and use these things as much as possible, also ordinary air mail letters which are only a shade slower, for longer outbursts.    But I must not be selfish, R.J. is probably taking quite a lot of your time, and Candy as well, but any time left over, which can be spared from your resting and quiet, then this junior partner in the firm will be more grateful than even your affections tell you.   For much as I love everyone and all things, and I do, with certain salient exceptions, I am getting daily fonder of my wife, even if she had no handsome straight limbed son to make me strut and swagger and aim at the stars.

Celestine sounds nice and Brer Rabbit.    Now Brer Rabbit was dear to me and R.J. shall know how cleverly Brer Fox tricked poor Brer Rabbit.   And Teddy In action, Phelt Pheet, Edward P.P. Bear.   Grrrr.   Ahem, I must be adult.   And Candy, and you and R.J.    out together.   And Gwen staying I see by the note of Christopher.

The parcel was 5¼1bs this, the third time, so now poor Washbrook who never despairs is repacking it without the money box and plus a few nuts and the money box shall come separately. That is for R.J.

Its awkward here, I am the O.C.’s man and nurse him and now the Colonel has collared me and I have to stooge for him, play Bridge with him –   he always overcalls and I play against him, thinks his rank will govern the fall of the cards.   It makes it a bit hard because we’ve got three schools in this Mess and its difficult to get out of it.    Maybe it will be a Good thing one day.   For R.J.’s sake.

I’m glad the typed airgraphs worked. I’ll send one today and see which wins.    Its a nice way, but the real letter is the best, though these are the quickest, aeroplanes like their shape and lightness.    Only threepence for us too.

How nice of Norman Fletcher to send R.J. a Brer Rabbit.   Do they sit in his cot at night? Do you get plenty of milk? Does Peter say anything funny,   Peter is so thrilled about May visiting you but anxious about the picture of him you have.   And does St. Hubert still smile at you, or rather glow at you.   I am looking forward to meeting him.   I am seeking a really good R.C. medallion of St. Anthony.  But not until we penetrate deeper shall we see good art shops. Here its all been taken by previous occupying armies and replaced by quite dreadful souvenirs, real bits of Shakespeare.   How does she react to R.J.?   How will R.J. react to me.

Oh, the others all had pictures taken here, May will have one Peter, poor dear.    I didn’t because they seemed so unpleasant, you shall have one later.    I’m as before, vague and lost, only browner and shorted with stockings and shoes.

How beautifully conceited the Hen is in this letter of yours with such a small young faithful.   Glad Old Faithful photographs well.

Oh dear, I daren’t think, like you, of how nice it would be to be together.    There’s a job to be done, and that’s all there is to it.

Bless Mother Anne & R.J. & Candy & all.