August 27 [1913]

My dear – I wrote to you last night to Rounton, forgetting about Penrhos, and this morning I have your delightful letter & the Shropshire Lad – I loved your letter – I hate anything between us but the naked truth and welcome and love that.

My dear – now for a time the chapter closes – My wife comes up at once. We start for Brindisi on Friday night – this morning I have been interviewing Sir L. Mallet among other people – I don’t think it is going to be a bed of roses this international commission. The Greeks (they hear from Corfu) are already moving troops in to the country laid down by the Ambassadors as Albanian! The Albanians & Greeks both openly threaten force and there’ll be bands and ferocities and beastliness – and things to do perhaps –

Of course call me Dick in letters – and I shall call you Gertrude – there is nothing in that – many people do – my wife doesn’t see my letters as a rule, but as she often writes to you herself we have always before passed them across – But oh how I shall miss them!

Still we’ll write and the other side of us will be very interesting. They are giving me a step in rank to cope with my dear colleagues who think much of such things.

And now I must go – there’s a lot to do.

We looked over the edge of a dream – a thing lovely and to be desired. But now we pull back from over blue depths – and the old track along the edge.

There is another thing which has got to be done – tonight I shall destroy your letters – I hate it – but it is right – one might die or something – and they are not for any soul but me –

Even now though I hide in the silent room they pursue me – Two people are waiting to see me – Goodbye my dear – I kiss your hands.

Dick

Once started – write for the present care of Con 21st 16 Charing Cross. I don’t know the address yet.