16. Aug.
British Legation,
Adis Ababa.
My dear Gertrude.

I doubt very much whether this will ever get through – and certainly it will be censured –

So what then is to say in this – I am horribly disappointed at a refusal which I have received of my prayer to join the army –

I am afraid there is little chance of anything doing here, as the Abyssinians will wait & see who wins – and so I too have to wait & see.

We know nothing – nothing except scraps & rumours through the French Legations via Jibouti [sic].

Its dreadful to me to be in prison here while all England is in arms – for so it must be I think –

Has the expeditionary force left? A million questions – a million wishes –

I hope my brother has a ship in the north sea –

Yrs.
CHMD-W.