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Newbold Saturday
Gorgeous darling,
I am left all alone again as orderly officer - but am quite glad about it. I have a great big fire - the wireless - a gin & French - a mug of draught beer - a cold chicken & a very beautiful looking salad, made by a [cottier?] who used to be a cook at the Hyde Park Hotel. So what! - as dirty gasbag would say. How did we endure those three months? I suppose the answer is that you didn't, & I was off my head. The Gin & French - a nice big ginny one, has put new life into me. I was feeling somewhat shattered, having spent
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the last four hours or so, delving into Kings Regulations, 800 pages - & the Manual of Military Law, 1000 pages. The point being that Hughes & Caleb, 1st & 2nd in command of this company go on Xmas leave next week - & the company is left to Griffiths, a very pleasant but very irresponsible young man of 22: & I rather feel that I shall be needed. In our Standing Orders, it says that each officer should have an intimate knowledge of the above works. They must think everybody is the equal of the late Lord Birkenhead!
I have now dealt with a lot of fowl & the salad, which looked good for about four before I saw it - & now contains only four onion tops: another proof of my constancy. So I now feel
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3. considerably fortified - & shall probably write about a hundred pages. I must say how sorry I am about my dashed off words, darling. But I do find it difficult when I only have a few minutes or so - & there's anther parade or something & I have to think about what I'm going to do - & my hat & gloves & belt & stick, & go mark, & books, & paper, &pencil - & what I missed out of my note to you the day before, & have you asked me any important questions - & what must I tell you - & co [all?].
Its fine when I have about six hours ahead of me - unbroken except for nipping rounding all
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4. the rooms, turning out the guard - the 9-0 news, & Raymond Gram Swing--- Band Waggon is off again.
Points of business & importance, diaries, & have written to the Shipley U.D.C. about water rates & all other rates - mentioning at the same time that we shall probably be leaving the house "in a minute." In any case, they have to come to the house itself to turn the water off.
I told Birchall furnished or unfurnished - preferably the latter, & if so not on too long a lease. But I will write him & confirm it all.
I'm afraid there is nothing I [?}
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5. about an abode for you & Lisa - yet. I just not have been able to leave here during the hours of daylight since I arrived back. But I have not been idle. My platoon sergeant has been on the job for me - I thought rooms in a house or farm would be a good idea. He has only one address for me so far - he says it is all fine - except there is no bath: I am going to have a look at it on Tuesday - & so will you let me know by return if you consider this an inoperable difficulty.
I have also telephoned the local pub & promised to to go & see them. It is said to be quite pleasant. They would want £3-10-0 a week for
