I’m still detatched from my unit at H/Q & I’ve had a hard spiritual battle. Either “play” & land the Adjutants job, which from pretty clear hints was why I was brought here. It’s interesting work & means a rise. But I have not played. I’m sure you’d agree – the price is too much & a soured & bottled & frustrated David might result. The C.O. Is an extreme egotist, & constantly playing up & tact would be very, exceedingly exhausting. So I been very troubled. I could do the job but I can’t be a 100% yes man, signs now show that he suspects my unaffection, & I have the temerity to dispute his dogmatism. It’s a pity, perhaps it’s culpable of me to lose extra money for you over sensitiveness but I feel that if you knew the atmosphere you’d back me. I’ll try to get you money by writing of some kind. It’s far more involved & subtle than all this but later I’ll expand the details.

                        Off on a recce this afternoon I expect which is fun. I expect to “rejoin my unit” after that.

                        One thing has been great fun, engaging an interpreter. The Naval chap was already booked, but two brothers, cultured & exactly alike, Bruno & Lucio Andreis, have been. They are 19 & 17, & a third is Mario, he’s 21. “B” is booked, for now I have C & when we can get A, Mario down I expect I’ll engage him. Charming boys. Parents in Japan stranded. Uncle Military Attache in Washington. They have excellent English, each one better than the younger brother. Jolly people, naive & intelligent & with a vast Villa for a home. The battle was on their land. They sat on a wall & watched & made drawings.

                        Enough of my affairs. What of you ? And your Dickie. I saw a tiny 21 inch this morning sleeping in its mother’s arms. A very diminutive & charming affair. I must get an idea of Dickie in grey flannels & a cricket shirt & a vague bicycle out of my head ! I expect he’s not at all like that.

                        About Christmas, you couldn’t all go to Kettering ? No I suppose not.

                        Whirl of activity for two hours since finishing that page. The works all right, rather fun & nice & “higher-level” & I get on famously with brigadiers & the ilk. But . . .

                        A hiatus in the mail for a few days but no one can complain as it was such a gorgeous pile we had.

                        All the buildings here have two , tiled floors on every floor & usually a good pattern, & nice outside colours, pinks, greens, reds etc. No fireplaces in the modern blocks of flats.

                        Dear one, this is a poor letter but I do love you & your son. I’ll be good & imagine him as he is & not as a five foot Chris, – yet.

                        Bless you all & your good mother. Good about the house, I have yet to hear of the details.