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Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France and the letter from David Pye that was originally enclosed

Hadn’t received a letter from her or Mildred and he wished for one so he would know she was still getting better.

He had written a long letter to David to try and help him fall in love with Jelly and reassure him that she would make a wonderful wife. Wonders who told David that Jelly was in love with him and if indeed she was.

Had talked to two other Officers from 471 Siege Battery one of whom was returning to England for good and he was a school master so he was hopeful.

It was infernally cold but the wind had cleared the mist which was a blessing. Thought they would be left there for some time. The Major was making no effort to move as he feared their trucks would be taken away which would be a disaster.

Thought it would be a wonderful Xmas and he might write some lines to greet their friends and she could make some illuminated cards. He wonders what stage she is in her recovery.

[enclosed is a letter from David to George written on 12 November 1918]

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Was glad to hear about her recovery from pneumonia.

He was getting impatient to know if he would be home in a matter of weeks or months. Was hoping for sometime before term started.

They were to move the following day as the French needed their line as they were building a bridge. They would not be moving far - a few miles outside Arras in the unstrafed countryside and he would be much happier.

Expects she is spending time reading in bed and wonders what she is reading. He had just finished Bleak House which was very long and not all of it very interesting. When Dickens was good he made the most convincing and lovely people. He loved his characters himself and that was a great charm. There were at least 50 characters in Bleak House and of those Dickens only really hated one and mildly disliked half a dozen or so. Wished Dickens was a more careful writer but he poured it all out from the fulness of his observation and experience. He could never quite get over his Victorian weakness for easy sentiment. He didn’t know if his best characters, the shoddy dingy servile, crowd interested him.

He was reading Beaumarchais’s play Figaro which was splendid and reminded him of Mozart’s music. Beaumarchais was one of the great men and he wanted to get hold of an autobiographical book, Mémoires.

An allotment of Paris leave was going begging and he had put in for it. If he wasn’t released before 29th he would console himself by going to Paris and spending his evenings in theatres and concert rooms and his days in bookshops. Wishes she could be there too.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Was glad she was recovering [from pneumonia]. Wishes he could be home with her. The King was going to Paris on 29th which was the same day he would go if he got leave.

He had a heavy cold yesterday so hadn’t written to her as he was too tired after dinner. Looked forward to living with her and being happy in their home. She must be patient with him and they would learn to live with one another and be happy.

They had not yet moved but he expected they would that day. They had to give up most of their trucks which would be very annoying.

He was delighted her father had begun to walk again. Hopes he will be strong again.

He was reading Tess of the d’Urbevilles which had wonderful descriptions of dairy farms in the Frome Valley and she would love it although it was another tragedy.

It was still very cold but bright and he had walked into Arras to buy stuff for the mess. The car was out of action as the rear axle was broken. When it broke the wheel came off and careered down the road nearly upsetting a despatch rider.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

He had just finished Tess of the d'Urbevilles and talks about his reaction to the story and Hardy's writing.

25 Nov - he had to go to Arras to a Court of Inquiry which was a tiresome business. The Major had toothache last night. He was due to have dinner with Trafford next Wednesday to celebrate the aniversary of him taking over No. 8 Squadron. He would be in Paris on Friday but would probably miss seeing the King as he was due to go on Thursday. Planned on going to the Bibliotèque Nationale.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Had been reading The Dynasts [by Thomas Hardy].

They had successfully completed their move and were in a pleasant part of the world and he would rather be there than in the Railway Triangle near Arras where they were rather hemmed in.

He was going to Trafford’s anniversary dinner tomorrow [anniversary of Trafford taking command of 8th Squadron] if he could be fetched in a side car because they had no transport. Possible he would sleep there and go on to Amiens and then to Paris. Wasn’t really looking forward to it but thought he ought to make the best of the opportunity.

Wed morning - beautiful fresh morning and he had enjoyed his cold bath. Had to go into Arras to attend a Court of Inquiry. Was increasingly anxious as he hadn’t had received no news of his release.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Had been frustrated in his attempts to get to Paris. No side car had arrived from Trafford’s Squadron to pick him up. Was hoping to get to Amiens in a car belonging to a neighbouring battery. Otherwide he would have to get a train to Rouen or Abbeville.

Wishes he had received a letter from her before he left to reassure him about her recovery [from pneumonia].

Would enjoy the victory celebrations in Paris if he could get there as the French were friendly now.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Paris

Had walked in the Tuileries Gardens, looked at the captured guns on view, and been in the Bibliotèque Nationale since lunch. Was enjoying himself very much but longed for her company. The art of enjoying Paris was to sit and allow the spirit of it to enter by the eyes. Even though it was mostly wet and never bright everyone was sitting about after dinner outside cafes or walking in the streets and he was content to sit and watch. He then went into a picture house. Was going to the theatre to see The Barber of Seville by Beaumerchais.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Paris

Had just got in from a concert which had gone on for a long time. He had made friends with a group of young French people but was rather desolate when they had to part. Had been to a sermon in an interesting church. He fell in with a Frenchman on the way to the theatre and they kept company for the evening. Was annoyed at first that it wasn’t The Barber of Seville but Rossini’s opera-comique but it very closely followed the dialogue and the music was charming. Was feeling rather hungry as eating in restaurants was very expensive.

Monday morning - had spent the evening eating with pleasant companions in a cheap restaurant. He always made the first advances as the Parisians didn’t expect him to speak French and they didn’t speak English. His fluency was increasing. Was going to enquire about trains at the Gard du Nord and then go back to the Bibliotèque Nationale.