15/12/17
My dear Father
I had your last letter a few days ago and will answer it today, as I'm likely to be out tomorrow most of the time.
I had a Xmas parcel and letter from Aunt Lottie today. I don't like the account she gives of herself, prolonged jaundice and weakness in one of her age sounds a bad combination, and it may be serious; without further knowledge of the case one cannot say more.
I'm sorry I had no opportunity of calling there on my way back, but we had to go direct on to the boat. I had a good journey back and arrived here the same evening, luckily getting a ride from Boulogne. The ordinary leave man doesn't go till next morning.
We are having fine dry days, more like October than December. The Western front will probably have some anxious times in the coming months; just for the time being the Germans have a relatively big reserve available and the condition on 1914-15 winter is to some extent paralleled, but hardly so dangerously I hope.
The Palestine success is cheering; if only the European aspect were better I should think there would be a good chance of eliminating the Turk from the war. As it is I expect he'll hold on a bit longer.
I expect you'll have a very quiet Xmas but I suppose the girls will be with you and perhaps Jack.
With love to all.
Your affectionate son
Arthur
