Clandon Nov 17 Darling Father. Read the enclosed from Harold Russell and send it on to Mother. It looks as if I were pretty sure of a job presently and what he suggests sounds well suited to my powers. It would be very interesting wouldn't it. I am afraid I can't come up this week. The Onslows are both in London for a day or two and I am in charge. If she comes back tomorrow night I might get up for dinner on Thursday when I gather you will still be there. It would be very nice to have a talk with you. And would you if I telegraphed that I was coming, ask Domnul to dinner? Also will you please tell Ellen to send me an ABC for this month at once. Their latest here is September! I went for a walk on Sunday afternoon and dropped in to tea with the Stracheys on my way home. They have 20 wounded Bellgian convalescents and Amy is more official than words can say. The first thing she asked me was whether we used all the army forms. I replied boldly yes, though we don't! One of their first convalescents was a coal black negro from the Congo. He succeeded in concealing a huge knife in his bed with him. His opening remark was "En Afrique pas de prisonniers." He drew his finger significantly across his throat and added "Mange". As he was suffering from nothing but a nearly-healed sprained ankle Amy felt herself justified in returning him to the Bellgian Legation, with thanks. St Loe observed mildly "It was a curiously unexpected result of the war to have one's best bedroom occupied by a cannibal." He told me of the invasion scheme, Iceland and so forth, of which you certainly know. His information was not official but he said I was not to repeat it, and I haven't. Herbert writes to me of great activity among German transports and armed vessels, but he doesn't think a serious landing can be effected apparently.
Send on this letter to Mother with my dear love to her. Your affectionate daughter Gertrude