T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 572

To W.E. Jeffrey Posted to Reawaldo indi, the deft, had arrived in England on Nov. 30th. 1933. T.E. haw, is ht, J.soy! Clouds Hall Moreton Dorset 21.XII.33 Anatomy! This will be late for Christmas, but so much the better. I hate writing Christmas letters. Fosh (Palmer) asked lately what had happened to you. "The little beast's a sergeant" I [...] obviously America - "One have the luck" he replied. It is strange thinking for an A.C.1. Do you ever meet the latter in your country? They are good people. My life is building boats for them, and I live in Southampton for half the year, overseeing the jobs. Not a bad life. I am never on parade except when I inspect myself on getting up, or bad each morning. What a happy life it would be if one got up only whenever one shots wanted changing! I grow so old and fat and white-haired. Each ... that returns to England I escort up Southampton Water (in one of my experimental boats) and scan for signs of a long thin serge... in a beret. No luck yet. Come home soon, for in March 1936 I relapse into a lounge suit, and go to live at Clouds Hill. That cottage is just as you knew it, outside, only more overgrown, with larger lawns inside there have been changes. I made some money out of a version of Homeric Odyssey in the States, and have put in water, and a boiler, and a bath: while the larger ground-floor room is now shelved and plank-floored and half-full of books. Upstairs no change, except that I have abolished the bed, and just bug down anywhere: in the rare week-ends I spend in the place. Mrs Knowles still lives opposite, and helps to care for the place in my absence. I hope to see you enter it, one day. April 1934 you thought, in your last letter. Do warn me in time. A might be still in Southampton, then! though my true station is Felixstowe in Suffolk. Banbury is at Lulworth: married: one child and a garden. All serene yet! Best of luck to you; I shall so much enjoy seeing you. Damn all letter-writing Yours