Hullo! Got a funny job today, escort to a bloke under close arrest. A subaltern of another company. Decent quiet lad. He’s asleep on his bed & I’m in his room. I’m here until 8o/c this evening. I’ve got my typer with me but can’t type because he’s asleep. Hence the penning. Altogether odd. If he tries to get away I suppose I’ve got to do something about it. All very odd. But a peaceful way of passing the afternoon.
                         My equivalent to your nice drawings. But not nearly so good. But I do think so much of you, & him, & us. With almost numberless shades of feeling too – him alone as a person to know, him because of you, him because you & I, him with us. Every proposition in the language gives a new & delighting aspect. Your descriptions are so precious & so illuminating too. I shall be so proud if, when he’s a self-selecting little boy, he chooses my companionship, not because I can take him to places, but for the sake of it.

                        I wonder what you thought of the story I sent. D’you think Good Housekeeping would fancy it or is it too strong for them. It may have no market which is not necessarily condemnation of it. If it pleases you it’s enough. Hope it does. I have another scheme afoot, a different kind of thing altogether. I may try it this evening if my ward is awake & busy with his own affairs.

                        I bought some brown shoes at the officers shop this morning. Very fair ones, K’s for 23/6 ! Alan brought a pair & he went to the dock & I carried the two pairs unwrapped to the Mess. It was dreadful. Every Italian eyed these shoes, strong & real leather & new with eyes large with envy. I felt so embarrassed. They’ve had cardboard shoes for so long, & none at all for a year or more. It’s an odd world.

                        Peter & I went to the weekly concert last night, the Italian orchestra & the quite charming Piccini theatre The conductor was a Pole, square & thick, with a mop of musicians hair & he looked like Beethoven in Battle dress. Very good. Brahms No. 2 & the Elgar Enigma.

                        Food supplies are getting better for the civilians here & we are even supplying splendid equipment for the Italian military. Everyone is looking better & the children are fattening up again. The organisation is really very good.

                        Do I see that you are getting a rise, you & Dickie? You get 42/-a week now I believe. You’ll get 45/6 or something after the beginning of May, if our news is right. How is the money side of living panning out ? I feel I’ll get some saleable stuff done in the next few months, feel in the mood. Unless we go & get active. As it is its most suitable. I’ll try.

                        A long pause. – for a brown study, of the future, Dickie & you & me. Trying to see our home & background as he’ll see it, & imagining he’ll have at least some of my characteristics, a very sweet daydream.

                        My prisoner is awake & we’ve just had tea & buttered toast. Now he’s going to have a bath. Hope he doesn’t bolt in a towel or drown himself. He’s a very peaceful bloke, he only muddled some accounts. Nothing desperate at all. Which is a good job.

                        I’m glad the Inveraray Tweed is being made up. Your details of your new figure are important, touches me nearly, as they say, or I wish it did. But I like you thick ! Really I do. Don’t go & get too sylphlike. Nice thick Betty is my mark. Dear, how I want to see you.

                        The knittability of you is good too but I’m fairly well off for ties just now, thanks all the same. What does Dickie’s wardrobe consist of now ? And WHAT DO YOU DO WITH CLOTHES HE’S GROWN OUT OF ? The answer to that one is quite important. Oh, & I & I alone, shall make the swing he’ll need anon. I reserve the right. A real swingy swing it’ll be. He’ll be nine months in two days ! Still youngish, thank heavens. But I think were both a little mad about this Richard. Bless us all. How does the garden grow & how are all the village gardens. How are the Jeavons & their strawberries & the village feud. I’ll deal with pansy Peter if need be. We’ll cope if he’s not humble & respectful & deferential to you. Brrr ! Put me on to anyone who gets funny. You, so precious & gay & lovely & real. A brilliant person, you know, you, you make anything you do worth while & unusual. For all that I’m suitably humble & proud, fond & devoted. Bless you my love,