Baghdad February 17 Darling darling Father. You can't think what beautiful letters Elsa and Moll wrote about you or how much I have been thinking of you, poor dearest. The little boys will be a comfort, won't they and Frances I'm sure is; she must have a beautiful character. When she wrote to me she wrote so lovingly about you and Mother.
I now wonder whether any of the letters I write ever get to England for it's so wet that every means of communication is upset. I don't think the Air Mail will leave tomorrow but I will try and find out if it's likely to make the connection and if it isn't I'll telegraph to say why [you] don't hear from me. I wonder if you got my letter by last mail?

It's really miserable, this weather. There were two fine days when I struggled out for a walk in the afternoon but on the others the mud has kept me a prisoner and now it is so bad that not even Lionel or Iltyd can come and see me. Luckily I've had a good deal of work, but these have not been days which make you feel any happier. It looks as if it were taking a change for the better this afternoon.

So I've really nothing to tell you except how much I've thought of you.

Yes, one thing. I had a charming note from Sir Ernest Benn. He says he is glad that I recognize in him "a more or less worthy pupil of your dear father." That is just what I did, only I thought him an extremely apt pupil. You would laugh and rage with me if you heard the tosh that your civil servant talks - but no doubt you have heard it innumerable times. For instance, they have a Govt stationery dept here where all the Govt officers (except one or two which have found out better) get all their stationery, typewriters etc at a price about a third higher than they could get them by private contract placed with independent firms here. There are all the overhead charges and far more Indian clerks, I feel sure, than any firm would employ, and even a man as shrewd as Ken can't see why you should abolish the confounded thing. It's a special grievance of mine, for I want the building (which is one of the best in the town, built in the spacious days of A.T. Wilson ) for a museum. And I want it quick so as to be able to get the change made before it grows very hot. I am now going to tackle Mr Vernon, who is a good free trader and an energetic man, and try to enlist his support. At any rate on these things we speak the same language. I would like to hear you address some of my dear colleagues on the subject of govt trading.

Did you get away, dearest, at all or are you waiting till the time comes to go to Italy? that's rather a long way off and I think you must be so tired and strained. I'm longing for more news of you. Ever your very loving daughter Gertrude.