130 St Mary Abbotts Terrace
2Kensington
3London
4Dec 26th 1915
5
6Dear Betty
7
8I think you & I should be a little near each other if we were to meet;
9m because at ground we’ve got the same out look on life. You must get
10& read a delightful & simple but most precious little book called left
11“Letters from a Field Hospital” by Mrs Percy Dearmer. She died of
12typhoid a few months ago nursing in Serbia. It expresses more what I
13feel than any other book I know. I had Strange people can’t see that
14war is murder, the not murder of their own souls. The little book
15costs 2/6. I have bought so many copies to give away that I can’t buy
16any more. I got such beautiful little Xmas letters from May & Dr
17Parker. They are beloved people. May often says she feels she is doing
18so little for the world; but to spread that atmosphere of love & peace
19about her, in this world of hate & bitterness is it not more than any work.
20
21Alice’s dearly beloved ^(by me)^ sister-in-law Eva Greene came to see me
22ten days ago. Since then I have hardly seen or spoken to a human
23creature. Life is almost more solitary here than at de Aar: but the
24cooler climate is something to be grateful for. In a way it is more
25solitary – to have millions about you & be in touch with none. Eva
26Greene has asked me to go & see her children & the Xmas tree next week.
27 Perhaps I shall go out to Berkhampshire for a few hours, if it is a
28fine day. Give my love to Ted Molteno & tell him I wish he was here
29like last winter to come in & chat.
30
31Oliver has been home for a week, goes back to the front tomorrow.
32There is going to be big fighting there I think. Ursula & Dot want to
33go & nurse in Egypt. They are not going back to Cannes.
34
35I am living in one little room next the roof, which I have hired from
36Dr Corthorn as the air in this part of London suits me. It is my
37bedroom dining room & kitchen all in one. But I don’t so much g
38cooking as I live almost entirely on biscuits, & cheese, & my cooking
39is principally making Ovaltine & Benger’s food. Have you ever tried
40taking Ovaltine when It you live alone; a cup-full makes quite a nice
41meal. It is much more nourishing & easily digested than cocoa. Have
42you a servant or do you do all the work yourselves at your little farm.
43
44Tell my darling Alice she must make time to write me a proper letter &
45tell me about your life there & how little Margaretha is getting on.
46
47Good night, dear. It’s a weird life here in this big city. Give my
48love to Lucy & Mrs Murray. She must have heavy anxiety about her boys.
49
50My true love to you
51Olive
52