p.

4

been drinking hard all night, & has been doing a great
deal of dancing with & talking to Ben, who was making
a brave effort to convert her to a sane & independent
outlook on Palestine, & to wean her away from
official & regular army clutches. Arrived at my Mess, we
had more large whiskies, & unleavened bread & cold Kosher
sausages (it has just been Passover) - & we talked on until
3.0 a.m. But I think Ben's task & aim are hopeless -
she is quite a decent woman, but I'm sure well
under the thumb of the Chitty woman, about whom
I told you in a previous letter. But it is worth the
attempt - if 10,000 women pass through her hands in
the next few months, she can be an influence in
one way or the other.

Darling Barbara, it is probably silly of me to say so
& so forgive me pelase, if you think so too. But the arrival
& general [handiness?] of these A.F.S. girls cannot possibly
& will never make any difference to my complete &
absolute faithfulness to you. You did say, you know,
after you heard about the Hopkins - "is she pretty,
& have you fallen for her?" And so that is why I
tell you this, my darling. From time to time, there
is a bad side of my conscience which whispers to me
that perhaps I might just kiss this or that girl. But,
I do assure you that my love for you never wavers
for one single moment & there is not even a
small struggle.

Oh believe me, sweet darling heart, I love you
only & with all my mind & body & soul. I am
looking at your photographs now, & your