1021 Docks Operating Company R.E. C.M.F.
DEAREST,
A flock of happiness, a pile of letters, yesterday evening, as I think I have told you, came airmails dated – never mind, five of them, all in the seventh September region, and this afternoon an airgraph dated 22 Aug, letters of 19th August and the 3rd. 6 and 21, and letter cards 21, 24 26 (twice) 30 31 Sep. 1st. and a wonderful letter covering 28th, July to l3t August, before, during and immediately after Dickie. The others are in a tin sweet box, that special one in my pocket, for constant reference.
The letters are sparkling brilliant things, gay and so full of the little significant points which show me so much. There are gaps in the letters, time will fill those, with the help of the APO. Now I am beginning to know my son, and his new mother, competent, gay, no-nonsense, sensible and so very deeply fond. You may be deficient in calories or carbohydrates, darling, but no one can say you are deficient in instincts, and there Dickie is lucky. I lay on my bed after lunch with a pile of official stuff to cope with and ignored the world while I read your letters word by word. This evening I read them again. Its better than the rarest first edition of a literary masterpiece, its exquisite pleasure. And now I am up to date, the persevering APO (Postie in khaki) has caught up with us elusive Special troops, and he will stay with us now and keep up. And the Posties are so kind, you get mine quickly. I want this to hurry to that you won’t think of me without mail longer than you have to. Because I’m full to the top of my heart with delicious letters. And seven air mails from Mother and one from Gwen, so sweetly Gwenny in this unGwenish world, and one for J.J.H. (Airgraph) too. A jolly lot.
Mother does understand your ways, she remarked how sensible and well you were and adores your son. She said “I was allowed to nurse him” but understands. I’m going to tell her how glad I am you are bringing him up the modern way and resisting the temptation to molly-coddle him and what a wise man Fitz is and what a wise mother you are. Very tactfully and gently, not the hint of a rebuke, don’t fear that, please. I am so glad you have got a grip of the situation. He sounds incredibly sweet and sensible, and I love the physical details, the toe nails that scratch – a sweet implication – and long hands, and spirit, which you and he are working out, and Candy wagging as she looks and Mothers description of the Jeff family giving him silver and looking at him. And all the jolly comments and his liking the Coventry Carol but preferring A Wee Doch and Dorris. Oh, it wasn’t a real Cortot, records but brilliantly amplified. We were late.
There are stirrings in the promotion world, the Colonel has started “seeing people” and certain names, ours among them, are being bandied to and fro and we all look uninterested. What will happen I don’t know I’m so happy bringing up Cliff and producing him, but for Dickie’s sake I must take anything that ??? even if it comes to producing a real red tabbed colonel, who is bristling with efficiency or handling a tachy Lieutenant Colonel. We shall see. They’re all a bit like Uncle Jack, though not quite so sensible. A sweet airgraph from him, he says I’ll be proud of my son. He also says he holds his hands like a proper “Point” Fielder already.
Your heap of letters call for a long long answer but for now, in the falling light this must suffice. More later. I was very relieved and charmed that you liked your sonnet. You may display it if you wish, or keep it for us three if you prefer. Your instincts on such matters are very true and I am always content to be guided by them.
Just been for a ride for an hour in the Jeep, hence this letter is being finished in the failing light on our balcony as I said. Everyone is happy now mail has come and so busy. And Jim liked our airgraph, a light thing. I will write to Uncle Jack again.
You and your new life; its all fascinating and delightful and I have much to dream of. Life is kind to us. Richard shall not want, for things material nor for care and affection nor for a brave start to his own life.
More tomorrow, dearest,
ever your devoted and happy husband…
David
My salutations to Dickie, my love to your Mother. And regards to them all at Great Alne.