Baghdad Sep 3 Darling Mother. I have your (as ever) delightful letter of Aug. 20 and this time I enclose one for Father which I expect will only catch him at Port Said. How glad you will be to have him back, won't you. But hasn't he had the time of his life. His letters are enchanting and Elsa's ecstatic. I quite agree with her, one sees everything with new eyes when one is with him.
I am really quite well again. I was rather a poor thing last time I wrote but I have amazed Dr Sinderson by the speed with which I have picked up. A change in the weather has helped a good deal. The worst of the heat is over I hope. But it has been a very trying summer. And lately the thing I've written about to Father (re Col. Slater) has been a constant source of worry. I have been so sorry for Nigel; it has made things very difficult for him, but I think he has handled them with great calmness and judgement. He has been immensely good to me and I think he has liked to have me to confide in. He couldn't have talked to anyone else on his staff. Ever dearest your very devoted daughter Gertrude