95 Sloane Street June 2 Dearest Mother. So far nothing has happened but this: I had a second telegram from Sir Ralph yesterday saying that his wife was in London and telling me to see her. I am going to lunch with her on Friday and I daresay she will tell me I'm not needed. If she does, that ends the matter; if she doesn't, Sir Louis has heard today of a man who sounds like a possible successor to me. I don't bother about it and I do my best to keep my eyes steadily turned away from Nish.
Meantime I'm beginning to realize much more than I did before what it was like to have Lord Robert for a chief - his quickness and decision and the way that nothing seemed impossible when one handed it over to him. Sir Louis is taking hold, but he will never take the same hold. He is very nice to work with and very much interested in it all, but I remember the famous F.O. minutes which used to be annotated: Yes [deleted] Louis Mallet [deleted] No Louis Mallet. Odervise, as Maurice would say, it's not fair to judge yet. I had a letter tonight from Philip Howell saying he had seen M. several times, that he was well and cheerful in spite of the exceptionally rough handling the division has had. P.H. may be in London this week for 72 hours, but I don't suppose I shall see him.

I really don't know what to do about Charles. There's no one at the W.O. whom I know. I'll try telephoning to the Secretary - whoever he is. Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude.

My impression is that interpreters are a drag on the market.