Dec 14 Cairo Dearest Mother. The mail is delayed a day and this afternoon I got your letters of Nov 30 and Dec 2. Of course open all my letters - there's nothing private in them. And please don't bother about bills for 8/9d. I certainly shall not pay them and I don't want them paid. They can all wait till I return, whenever that may be. Before I left I paid every bill that had come in and I don't intend to pay any more till Easter. I would much rather they were left alone.
I am so glad M. [Maurice] was well and cheerful. All the same it's horrible to think of him out there through the winter. One sees no end to it - it's useless to look forward.

The I.D. has shifted to headquarters where I have a charming little room of my own. The whole W.O. (and I with it!) is lodged in the Savoy Hotel. There I sit and work very happily all day long. There's no doubt it's amusing. Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude