Boulogne Dec 19 Dearest Father. I am longing to hear of how you put on your cocked hat and went to Scarborough to resist the German invasion, as I've seen you must have done. A horrible affair wasn't it - but it all seems pale to us with so much worse things going on so close. Yesterday there came into the office an agitated couple, very nice people, who had just received a W.O. telegram to say their son had been badly wounded. They came to us to ask where he could be. So we set about making enquiries, but this morning they came in again and said he had come here into hospital, badly wounded but still mending, I hope. We were so much pleased to hear the happy issue of their troubles. I do wonder how you are prospering. Moll and her children are with you - I must find some war picture postcards to send them. It never stops raining and I haven't been out at all. One can't go out immediately after breakfast and get wet through and sit in the office in soaking clothes. So I just remain in the office all day long and work. I'm feeling rather too sedentary in consequence. I haven't nearly thanked you enough for the books of reference. They make an immense difference to our comfort. I saw Sir Courtauld Thomson yesterday - I went to see him with a request and found him very pleasant and obliging. I am to see him again and discuss the particular scheme I have in hand more at length. I gather that he has made a very favourable impression.
You know we have a head office in London under Lord Robert. At 83 Pall Mall. Some time when you are in there you might go and see him and find out if he is satisfied with the way we run the office here.

Philip Howell writes me a curious tale of a private who wandered into the German trenches and they took him round and said how hateful it all was, and when was this damned nonsense going to stop. And then they sent him away again, unharmed. Well it is damned nonsense of course and I expect it's becoming more nonsensical and damneder. Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude]