p.

12.

rough haired, & black, & a little brown, & white & very
playful & affectionate - & I think he shows signs of developing
into a tough & independent character like Peter. I have
called him Toby - which sounds rather lacking in
imagination - but the very first dog I remember at home
was a foxie called Toby, who arrived when I was 4,
& we put him away when I was 18. But I hope to
leave the little sod before he is many months old - &
have arranged dto give him to Ben in exchange for
a very love Persion hand engraved silver cigarette
case which he bought some weeks ago - which I
wanted to bring home for you anyway; it is a
beautiful piece of work.

Your no 87 came today - & as your last one was also
87, I have marked this 87b. You were answering
my letter about Gergel - & you made some very
sensible & intelligent remarks about discipline & training
& the way the war is going - I was very interested.

You asked about the possibilities of you & Max coming
out here if my 2nd application failed. But it is
impossible darling - & I would not risk it anyway.
There are too many additional potential dangers which
could happen just at the worst moment, quite
apart from the normal ones. I'm afraid our hopes
must remain pinned on my 3rd application & interview,
& the end of the war - or a change in the situation.
It is a bleak & wretched prospect I know - but the future
may hold pleasant surprises for us & which we cannot
know about. In any case, I think you know that I am
paying attention to the situation the whole time, &
if & when, it alters, or an opportunity shows itself, I