1224/5 Shipworking Sections R.E. C.M.F.No. 243
Dearest… A letter today, and gay I am therefore. Bless you indeed. It was begun in the hairdressers in Leamington and finished at home. You had Honor with you. Had you cycled? A good time you were having, too. You met someone I used to know, I dug her out of the Cote, she and Maudie Greatrix, rum couple they were. She had a laundry I think and married an electricical chief of Birmingham, an elderly little fussy man. She was manly and hearty, deep voiced. Odd. I’ve not thought of them till this. Odd.
And the Suffield family called en bloc and are after a farm at Exhall. That would put Christopher in Exhall and Wixford team against us. Can they still go there? Oh, do say if the Security Veil Is lifted about Bedford, I do want to make encouraging signs to him to get him to ginger his spelling up all he can. Personality and niceness isn’t everything. So if I can mention it, do release me. Its difficult to write to him now because if I don’t say anything about it is deceitful, sort of.
Mrs. Eastwood has sent the Geographical magazine and I feel terribly ashamed, its been so cut and slashed that its just nonsense, a drooling obvious guide book account with neither life nor originality. I can’t think the original was so flat. I know she asked to be allowed to cut and I said she could, but its all crust and no pie at all. I’m sure I didn’t ignore Michelangelo’s Pieta altogether. Dear me. Either I’m quite useless at this game or it was shockingly subedited, it has quite deflated me and given me the impression that if I can only drool words to make a background for photographs I’d better stop trying. But it doesn’t matter, so long as they paid something. Dear me. How grieved you must have been.
But to better things. Lanave was delighted with your comments on his little picture, and loved the new picture of Dickie. He said, “Adesso, non e un bambino, ma un giovanne ragazzo”, “Now he is not a baby, but a little boy”. Everyone admires him and you. I do, as well.
And Frank Saddy and Maurice both converged, cycling, on your house which is a charming idea, they’d be an amusing pair together. Did they cycle back together, too? I’d cycle like hell with you as the destination.
Oh, your jolly circus calendar came today, and is hanging over my desk, thankyou indeed. It was a bit crumpled, but we have sorted that. Its a homely and charming decoration to the room. I hope among the dates is the date of all dates.
The cricket was magnificent fun. We batted first and made 156, of which Ronnie made a faultless 66, and me nothing, but not disgraced as it was a good catch what did me. Then we got them out for 89, and I took two wickets, so I am in the team. The team will be quite strong, and our first match is against the Rest Camp on Monday. It was grand to have a real game again, the wicket, coconut matting, was dead true and fast and everyone was very happy. The trouble is leaving people out on Monday.
Changed to pen as it late & the machine may disturb Johnny & Ronnie next door.
No news, we go our ways. We’re very busy just now as regards work, & poor dear Italians are very chary of the docks. They are far from brave as a race. A poor lot of men. They need supplies urgently, the allies are shipping them in & they won’t go to the docks to work the cargo! They talk too much as a race.
But Florence is beautiful! So too is Great Alne, with you it. And this unknown quantity of a giovane ragazzo. Bless the boy- how I am curious to see him. Tomorrow evening I call on my Yugo-slavs, where live Michelino & Leonardino. They’re always pleased to see me, & their company is very refreshing.
No news, or I’m tired, maybe that, so I’ll go to bed. Speed your next letter. Oh, where are you going to put the miniature? Beside the fireplace? In the sitting room? Let me know.
All my love, & my love to Dickie Dodo.
Ever your
David XX
Soon to be two years since last I saw you!