Correspondence – Page 12

To Major General A. P. Wavell.

9. 2. 23

Dear Wavell

I am reading your book, and liking it very much.
My first vanity, when I got it, was to look up myself in
the index!   I apologise for that: but so many people
have either overdone or underdone the Arab business that
it’s a real pleasure to see a fair statement of the case:
so I take back my apology.

Your few flowers at my person : this wasn’t necessary,
you know!   The author has only too good an opinion already, of himself.
I read, of his written prose, "It isn’t, of course, yet
ready, or will it be polish prose. Indeed I’ve only turned it over and read
the tit-bits : they have left me with a sharp appetite
for it all : and as it seems serves me I’m going right
through, checking each move with the map.   I fancy there
will be more lessons in the Palestine Campaigns than in
the French ones.   I hope you have kept the enemy always
in the picture.   War-books so often leave that out : and
neither Islam nor Asia is very valuable.   No, India
is not good.   We are seven miles from Karechi. I have
passed a lot of self-denying ordinances, one of which
keeps me within temperance bounds, another forbids me the cam-
tasu, a third prevents my ever sitting down on another
man’s head.   Imagine me as a plaster saint : but
bad than my own.   After a year of rather evident
non non-notice the C.O. sent for me, & stepped heartily on my
non-notice too. His mode of glad to be (we arranged his
face.   How ever, under supervision, from Audros in 1915, wonder-
ful how they get back, isn’t it?) and Salm as, "Look here
that" stepped in and saved me.   So all is well, & my
conduct still white.   If I’m lucky it will be the–
conduct: the best thing about India is the
gland in 1930.   The only decent thing about India is the
climate here : never cold enough for an overcoat, or not
enough for a sun-helmet.   A marvellous relief after Ara-
bla and Egypt.

I’m glad you have the mechanical aids to play with.
With the face of future tactics, I
think and hope.   The abolition of the rifle, shall we
say?   A very good riddance.   Give my regards to Hardy
and Clayton, if you meet them some while.

That fat-head, Philby, is going to write a book
against Gertrude & me.   Cat & puppy, if was.   Kill he
against Gertrude & me.   Cat & puppy, if was.   Kill he
call us soul-affinities!   Pet-head again to him.