p.

8.

which is much better - and I can also see your photographs & the
flowers.

Last Saturday, I had to go down to the P.R.T.D. to see Col. Leicester
about a few things. So I took Ben-Arzi with me, & Peter, of
course. After my business, I went to Ben's home, & stayed
until the Sunday morning, before coming back here. He
has an enormous family of sisters & brothers, & sisters & brothers
in law - and all their children - and they all seem to live in
a medium sized flat. But they are very pleasant & kind.
In the evening, we went out to a dancing place, which
was a very attractive spot, and I enjoyed it. I danced with
Mrs Ben Arzi once - & spent the remainder of the evening
sitting & talking & listening. His elder brother is going into
the army, shortly.

I had quite a long letter from Frank Macaskie the other day,
which I was very glad to have. He congratulated me on
being about to be a major, & said "I know you will
rise even higher than that, for I know of no one more
capable of holding any rank that may be open to
you"! Which I thought was extremely civil of him,
& quite heartening, coming from Frank. He went on
to say that he was in the ghastly position of being
unable to rise, except into dead men's shoes. It
is bad luck, really, I certainly know of no
better officer thatn Frank. He had had another
five days leave in Cairo - and had tried to get up
to Palestine, but had not been allowed.