T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 649

Dear Florence No, I was unfortunate. My big book was not nearly ready, and I have had an awful job in finishing the show off before my time was up. It was only just about that I got away, and today I have had to come down to Uxbridge into the R.A.F. camp, and here they will keep us till the ship is ready. We are due on Tuesday next, Dec 7, and should get to Karachi in India just after the new Year. We shall stay in Karachi for a week or two, & then be sent up country to our stations. Until then I won't know where I am going to come to rest at last. I'm sorry. I had wanted to run about England a bit, & sees & people before I went. These years feels a long time, may be five. As it was I had very little riding - and on -side last Sunday, I skidded & damaged the bicycle a little. No particular, & didn't hurt myself. I've sold the machine now. It isn't true what the paper said about my book. None of ...s profits will come to me! Indeed, it will not be particularly profitable to anybody except the printer. I have lost what money I had on the big book, & the little one only goes to help pay for the big one. Yes Mother has not been happy lately. into she was out of that beastly country for good. Very many thanks for the cake. It was good. I was able to finish it just before I left Barton Street, where I have been sleeping lately. Yesterday I met Arn..... in the street. He seemed cheerful. They have part of a little house at Highgate, a quiet ugly place, and it seems to suit them. They have a small baby as part of the family. I'm very sorry not to have seen you and said goodbye. However it cannot be helped. We will hope for better luck when I come home again. Yours ever Ned.