T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 254

All printed: Old printout y.h.u. animals To Mr. Albert Hall, Birmingham, (late A/C., R.A.F.) Myrtle Cottage Hythe Southampton 15.IV.29 Dear Erum It is too late, now, for your kid's christening. The poor little creature will be fixed and named. Poor little beast. I have been away for many weeks. These boats were finished and had to go out to Coastal stations, and I went with one and another of them, showing the new crews how they worked. We ... the end I got as far as Dunbristic in Scotland, near the Firth of Forth bridge. Too much of a journey, it was, and very rough weather. They are good boats. At Dunbristic they kept me another fort- night, overhauling things, and then I came back by train. There are two more sorts of boats to get built. Well, how is the kid ? and Mrs. Hall ? I hope all well. I confess I have been a god father anyway, for I'm no child-maker. Life isn't very gay, I ...now, and I shouldn't like to feel that I'd brought anyone else into the world to have such times as I've had, and still have. You two buoyed me, perhaps; I have found nothing to justify my staying on, and find one's self so: "Is it a sad state - but a fellow ought to keep his troubles to himself, I suppose. Best of luck Yours Shaw