CEHBates_Dec1918_002b

and have never been able to get
to you. I hoped that they would
fit into the box your Mother sent
for Christmas, but it was too small.
If you need them will you get
the neccessary permit for me to send
them. It distresses me that I cannot
send them to you. Your dear Mother
has been wonderfully brave, but she
and your father were of course
dreadfully anxious until your cable
came last Tuesday saying that
you were well. Your last letter before
that was written just before you
were to go over the top at Verdun.
We have been hoping to see in the papers
that your regiment might be among
the first to come home, but so far
we cannot see anything to that
effect. I ordered some candy and
a few dates sent to you from Paris.
I hope they will reach you by
Christmas time, and that they will