Had a haircut. A haircut here is a great performance. There are many saloons, & most of them are far ahead of any in B’ham & only a few West End ones can compare. The haircutter has an air with him. And the result is very beautiful, & powdered & scented & luscious. I went back & had a hot bath at once. But it’s a nice haircut in a streamlined haircuttery.

                        The Colonel came to lunch, in very affable mood, & gave me back the  for censoring, all passed : so :-
Picadillyian Dialogue
“Son Born”
“Discipline in the Home”
“Passed by Unit Censor”
& “Fathers in Exile” are all OK for publication, if anyone will publish them. He said “I enjoyed reading these. You have the touch I have striven, in vain, to achieve for thirty years”! So he’s quite appreciative.

                        It wasn’t altogether Malaria which prejudiced me against life at H/Q. Maybe the Malaria sharpened my perception. The Col’s everlasting egotistical chattering, & the humiliating compliance of the other officers, & the self-seeking intrigue of everyone, would be soul destroying in a month. Five or six days wore me down. But the old man is very friendly still.

                        It was a very little Malaria, the slightest I have ever had & the M.O. gave me Codine & I soon yipped round. Now I’m very bouncy, having been a little bit dull with my stupid rash. But Peter was convalescent from his jaundice (we always go au pair) & we did nothing together all day. Now all is well with both of us & we’re very bouncy. We have recovered together, much to the O/C’s amusement.

                          Your letter of the 31st. Posted on the 3rd at 5:15 PM. Arrived at the office at 1500 today the 10 Nov. Clever Postie. AND CLEVER RICHARD ! TWO TEETH. TWO. TEETH. !! Please congratulate him for me. Two teeth. But what about weaning ? It’s not strictly my business but would he know when to bite & when not to bite ? I’m rather worried. Reassure me. And you are very clever to supply him so nicely. “Apple cheeked & bright eyed.” Bless me & Bless him. And his second Infant welfare. And 12 ½ lbs ! That’s quite a lot. 12 ½ lbs. The pair of you do seem to making a fine show of this.

                        Now listen, you ! If any of the articles about Dickie or you offend in the slightest way, don’t feel awkward, don’t get in A STATE, just destroy them or keep them as souvenirs. I shall quite understand. But when I want to write little articles to earn a few guineas, & think of themes, I have none but the main preoccupation of my  , you & Richard ! Hence the subjects. If to you it seems like a breach of faith, of our intimacy or a commercialisation of what is to us sacredly precious, then I shall in no way feel hurt. I’ll just applaud your sensitiveness & admire it. But there is the point of view that we are doing good in sharing our appreciation. Don’t be alarmed & that they’re too indiscreet. And some of them are not about Dickie at all. I’ll send the copies for filing, or for use if the others don’t arrive. No I’ll keep them here in case there’s any query. They bear the censor stamp. When sending the final 2 up, say they have been :- “Authorised for submission to the U.K. Press by the C.O. No 5 Docks Group, R.E. CMF. Censor stamp No 7519 on copies.”

                        All this “shop” sorry. I’ll be writing a novel soon on  & sending them home.

                        Maybe the move suggested in yesterday’s letter will come off after all.

                        I have a new Parlour, or Dining Room Trick. I can crack Walnuts with one finger ! Really. Remind me when we meet.
Centre finger over the top, others each side.  Put the nut with the crack under the finger. Bang your centre finger with the other hand. The nut cracks. Try it. Painless & looks Painful.

                        Well done with Harry Anderton ! Straight talking does him good. Your mother must not over-do it. She’s precious. Tell her.

                        Splendid about the TEETH. How about Candy & Motherhood ? Alain has just read the articles & suggests Lilliput. Not for “Unit Censor” though. Only Punch or Spectator.

                        A scrappy letter, dearest. The mess is full & everyone’s chatting, playing the gramophone or something.

                        I say-  NO HEN on this evenings letter ! No Hen. I did miss the sweet fowl. Also very poor writing in this letter. So very sorry. Not a good pen. Your calligraphy is always perfectly clear. And I love you & admire Dickie’s two teeth. Hasten with news.

The man who lived here was a rare gramophone fan. He has a case with 16 partitions for different needles – for every conceivable tone & type. . Any parcels arrived yet I wonder. Bless you.