Seward House
Badsey
March 20th
Boo darling
I am leaving this note with Ethel to put in your birthday parcel, and I am also leaving a pair of socks and some notepaper as my very humble present – the socks for your birthday, and the notepaper for May 5th. You must write on it by that mail if it reaches you in time! Betty taught me a new heel pattern so the first sock is rather badly knitted but I think you’ll find they can be worn – but not for Sunday best. May’s socks are the best because she had the advantage in having pre-war wool, she began this pair 2 yrs ago for you! You can’t get good wool now.
Mrs Ashwin also sent her contribution – the grey ones. She said “I hope Cyril won’t despise my poor knitting” and I assured her you would do just the opposite.
The news today has been so good from all fronts that I shiver all over with joy and the hope that the end is not far off. I am simply longing to be with you again, Sweetheart.
No one but ourselves knows what this separation has meant to us. From what you once wrote to me I could not bear to think of you spending your leave alone in India. It would be such hard luck and so tantalizing. Let this hope buoy you up that this summer will see us married, God willing that it should be so. I’ll get to you if I possibly can or you’ll come to me. We must pray dear that He will spare us to one another. His mercy has been very great.
Many, many happy returns of your birthday, dear – never were these familiar words more truly meant.
God bless you and bring you happy memories on May 5th.
All my love
From your ever devoted
Mela
