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<p>a4701793.html</p><p>5./ able to let the Bristolian know something about our wonderful country, it's resources & prospects. I have refrained from boasting about it to these down-trodden folk in decadent England, as I think such boasting the reverse of etiquette, especially while the recipient of their kindness & trust. . . Yes, Rosie, writes a grand breezy letter & I'm pleased that you found something to interest you in the one she sent me. Her latest (of Feby. 11<sup>th</sup>.) tells me that old "Blighty" is @ last to be "rationed" - rich & poor alike (?perhaps) - on Feb. 25<sup>th</sup>., so they think there ought to be little further trouble as regards equal distribution. It'll certainly do away with the heart-breaking Queues. . . Mr. W. S<sup>nr</sup><sup>.</sup> was @ that time doing pretty well in Hosp., & there was no sign of his home-coming. . . There's apparently some doubt about bro. Tom being sent home to convalesce from his recent Salonica wounds. Guess he has more than earned the spell, but being just one of England's millions of commoners, it wouldn't do to go to so much trouble, of course if he was blue-blooded, or of the elite, there'd be "Mauretanias" & "Aquitanias" @ his disposal. Good old England! - but not for mine! Rose was pleased with Elsie's effort in the literary art & especially for the snapshot. Thinks the World of it & guesses that the "Aussie" girls are "some". . . Thanks awfully for your words of wisdom re rushing into the "Benedictine" life - & all that sort-o'-thing. My idea was always as yours. It's also good of you to add that my friend must be respectable or I would not continue writing. Well I am hoping so, but as I've only known the "missy" actually so few hours, I cannot tell by correspondence, tho. I know that she is not a "blue-blood" or one of the hereditary-rich, but thro. limited pre-war environment & social-ity she is somewhat ignorant, & of course not of "polished" education. Still, it's not the rich & the college-graduates who are the most genuine friends - you know that.</p><p>Ha! ha!! You can bet that I'd take the risk of "going down" with mal-de-mer if the homeward sea journey was "on tap". Yes, the trip across the "Gutter" was "some" severe & I came out of the "coal-box" (as such as the S/S. "Viper".) very "groggy". Still, I would not care to return till this job is over, tho. the life is worse than a "hobo's" & causes almost real tears @ times. To come home with the boys would do me & I don't want to be able to "flash" lots of gold-bars for wounds, or other military distinctions. It's God's will whatever is to be, & I am reconciled that way. . . What I would like is a rise of pay thro. the [ag-?] of a couple of stripes - a "full" corporal, f'instance. The reason is only because of the extra pay (10/- per day) so that it could</p><p> </p><p>PTO → [in bottom left hand margin]</p>