p.

4.

Jewish Soldiers Day - last year I led the march in
Haifa, & tomorrow I am leading it in Tel Aviv!
Last year, I had about 400 soldiers behind me - this
year, I shall have 500 soldiers & 500 A.T.S. women.
This morning I met all the platoon commanders
10 men & 10 women & explained to them what they
will have to do - the girls were frightfully keen &
took copious & furious notes & asked endless questions.
Aftr tomorrow, I shall be able to tell you all
about the march etc. And I hope I shall be able
to make you laugh again - its time I did. I should
imagine you have had a slight giggle already
at the picture of me striding through the biggest
town in Palestine at the back of a bloody great
brass band & in front of 1000 Jews & Jewesses.

The weather is gorgeous, my darling - brilliant sunny
days & pleasantly warm, & fresh breezes, & every thing is
green & fresh. Spring is very much in the air & all
around - & it is very much in my blood & in & about me
too. It is painful, my sweetheart, & I wonder have you
been feeling it too. You should have been, the amount
& the way I have been thinking about you & the
things I have been thinking about you - even if you
were not reaching on your own account.

It is cruel & it is torture - & there is nothing at all to be done
about it. My faithfulness to you is never for one moment
in question, Barbara darling - for all the reasons which
you know well, & which I have told you about before.
And for the additional reason, that if ever I did spoil
my record, I should never forgive myself, & should