Women’s Active Service Club
48 Eaton Square
London
Nov 19th 1918
My own dear Cyril
In a couple of hours I shall be leaving London for Bulford, having stayed the week end here en route from Checkendon Convalescent Home. Yesterday I met Jack and George for lunch and Kath for tea.
Jack is looking quite worn out. I am sure if only the Government could have spared him it would have done him a world of good physically to have been in the Army. The indoor life he is forced to lead has left him without a vestige of colour and very thin.
George is looking very fit. He is home on 6 months’ substitution leave – which may mean now that he is home for good. He asked me particularly not to forget to give you his love. He is longing to see you, to hear all your experiences and exchange views etc. He has altered since I saw him 3 years ago. Then he seemed “up against” everything and everybody – now he seems much calmer and more lenient towards other people’s views.
He told me Rosie had escaped the influenza, but that she was rather fagged out doing the work of others who had caught the epidemic. He did not say they were going to be married soon. Kath said, when I met her at tea that she thought the marriage was not going to take place for a little while.
Kath is trying for a change of work. She has applied for the Directorship of some organization in connection with girls’ clubs. Same salary as she gets now but she thinks the work will be less monotonous – more human interest. She looked better than when I saw her last.
I suppose, dear, if you come home now, it will be for good. So that we shall not have to rush everything, as we would do if you were only home on a few weeks leave. I will apply for 3 months unpaid leave when I get a cable to say you are coming, then if you have got a job and wish to settle down then I will apply for my discharge. This does not mean that I won’t marry you for three months!
London is very gay these days and looks like its old self now that the lights are lit at night.
From what Kath intimated to me it seems that for some reason, unknown, Mary has rather cut herself off from everyone - and when Arthur came home last time he never went to Badsey at all. Kath wrote Mary a long loving letter to Mary about 2 months ago asking her to come out of her shell, but has had no reply. Arthur mentioned in his last letter to me (for which I still owe him a reply) that he had found Mary in a very nervy state.
I wonder how I shall find Bulford when I get back. The Controller hinted yesterday that I might find disturbing things when I get back! I hope I shan’t!
I am scribbling these few lines now in case I don’t get another chance before mail day.
I saw Barbara the other day. She looks well and is very interested in her job. She took part in the Lord Mayor’s Show procession – marching 10 miles in Army shoes!
Well, dearest, I must close now.
With lots of love and a great big kiss.
From
Your ever devoted
Mela
