Viceregal Lodge, Delhi. Feb 18 My dearest Father. Last mail brought me a letter from you of Jan 20. I was more glad to have it than I can tell you, but rather distressed to hear that you did not receive a long letter I wrote to you from Cairo in answer to yours telling me of the state of my finances. I wonder if any other of my letters have gone astray. I thought the posts were at least certain, though slow. Anyhow I did write to you with much gratitude and contrition and I think I told you then that there never could be words in which to say to you what you have been to me. No one has helped another as you helped me and to tell you what your love and sympathy meant is more than I know how to do. Darling darling, Father, I still can't write of it, but you know don't you.
I am dreadfully sorry about the overdraught. I hadn't inquired at the bank, but I sent in my pass book with the utmost confidence, thinking that I was more than straight. Your letter was an abrupt disillusion. Apparently the pass book itself has been behaving in a very reprehensible manner but when it returns to you you must add to it that I drew £65 before I left Cairo and may possibly need another £20 before I leave here. You tell me that there were £125 in the bank, thanks to you, so that that is all right so far. They pay my journey and tell me that I am to send in an account of my expenditure, but as I shall very likely stay with someone it won't come to much I should think. Anyhow it won't come to very much and I think I shall not ask for my expenses if I can avoid doing so.

As at present arranged I leave Delhi on the 23rd, spend a day or two at Lahore and start from Karachi on the 27th. What will happen after that I have no idea. The V. is anxious that I should stay at Basrah [Basrah, Al (Basra)] and lend a hand with the Intell. Dept. there, but all depends on what their views are and on whether I can be of any use. That hangs on me, I feel - as we have often said, all you can do for people is to give them the opportunity of making a plan for themselves. The V. has done that amply. He has been extraordinarily kind and indeed all the people here have been delightful. It was a great advantage that I already knew Mr Grant; he has placed all their archives at my disposal and I have spent my time reading the Arabian files - and learning much from them. There has been an enormous party here this week for the opening of a women's hospital, the idea of which was begun by Lady H. [Hardinge] The V. opened it yesterday - a very touching ceremony. The Maharajas of Gualior [Gwalior] and Bikanir [Bikaner] were both staying here, and the Begum of Bhopal, whose acquaintance I was much interested to make. We had a long and amusing talk one afternoon about her pilgrimage to Mecca [Makkah], of which I had heard much from the Arabs. Besides reading the files I have seen all the people concerned with Indian Foreign affairs and talked to them about Arabian till I am weary of the very word - they must be too, I should think. But they have been curiously eager to talk - much more than I expected - and I think I have pulled things straight a little as between Delhi and Cairo. But nothing will ever keep them straight except a constant personal intercourse - it ought not to be difficult to manage and I am convinced that it is essential. When the principle of the Govt. at home is - so far as one can see - to keep all matters in strictly watertight compartments it devolves upon the various branches to establish and maintain a close understanding of one another's doings.

Domnul's affairs are not very satisfactory. He is going to have a hard tussle and the upshot is by no means certain I fear. He will probably have to spend another year in India, a terrible waste of time, to say nothing of health and money. Poor old dear - I am so sorry. And I am very glad to have been here and seen him. The news about Maurice sounds satisfactory. I'm afraid I can't keep myself from hoping that he will not be able to go out again. At least there is another month or more before he is fit. How glad you must be to have him - he ought to be with you at Rounton by this time.

They are all pleased with the prospect of Lord Chelmsford. He made a very good impression when he was out here and he brings administrative experience to the task. But what a task it is! Heavier now than ever with the war problems added to the usual Indian burden.

Dearest don't work too hard - I think that ought to be said to Mother as well as to you. You both sound as if you had such a terrible mountain of things on your hands. There will be a great deal to do when the war is over - you must leave some energy for that - and for your very loving daughter who wants you always and at every turn. Gertrude.

We have just heard of the fall of Erzerum [Erzurum] - a bright spot in rather gloomy prospects.#