Dec 7 Dearest Father. I did not get your letter of the 20th till last night. However it's in time to send you back the enclosed by this mail. I was so glad to have M. [Maurice]'s letter, bless him. I wonder how you thought him. He is back by now in France - one looks on and on and half despairs of an end to it. But perhaps, after all, the end will someday come with a rush and take us all by surprise.
I have got a charming little man who reads Arabic with me for an hour every morning after breakfast. He has travelled in Syria; we sit on my covered balcony and talk about places and people we have known. It's very enjoyable to be talking Arabic again, and very useful for I find myself constantly held up for a familiar word in an ignominious manner. The post is going and I must return to my office. Mr Hogarth will come and see you when you are in London and give you news of me. If you write to him c/o Captain W.R. Hall, Admiralty you could let him know when you will be in London. Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude