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courage to force a settlement by the only possible means. which is a form of partition. And now we are paying in Palestine, as we have paid in other places, for weak & bad government. And the war is upon us & we are caught short. If we offend the Arabs, they may not help us & may even begin troubles - & we must also keep an eye on the kindred Arabs in Egypt & Iran & Iraq & Syria, & even Turkey. whereas, if we offend the Jews - well they must be with us anyway - & America is in the war now & so we don't have to worry about her public opinion any more. It's not very dignified or very honest, is it? - nor yet very far sighted.
But there is not very much point in my going on with all this - it is all a very complicated question & with many sides. & I could talk for hours about it, never mind write.
But I am pretty browned off & bored with my job. & I am quite certain that the men are too. - & I do not blame them at all.
About my interruption yesterday - I had just been writing that I had too little to do. & that I intended to organise my life, but doubted if it would work out - when I was called to the phone & the Brigade Major said he was afraid he had a job for me & would I come & have dinner & talk it over. And it turns out that I am detailed to undertake the tactical training of a Veterinary Hospital unit - i.e. teach them how to be infantrymen when necessary. You see what happens - that is just one of those lousy jobs, not very interesting, no thanks or credit - & it just takes up my time. However - I had a good dinner & a long talk with him until nearly midnight. As I think I told you, he seems to like me. I find him quite pleasant & interesting to talk to - & interesting as a type too. & therefore I feel that it is good for me, in a way,
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to talk to him. But it is annoying too, because I cannot say what I really think - for example to tell him that I think he is a nice enough chap & amusing & pleasant. & probably better than the average regular office. but a bit of a fool. & certainly idle & rather muddle headed. And for example again - it came through on the radio that our coal mines are now to come under state control. Brooke was furious & muttered "bloody socialism - bloody communism next". I remonstrated gently & pointed out a few things - but I really wanted to argue without reserve. But it would not pay - firstly because I want to come home - & secondly, because failing that, I want a good job when this one finishes.
You told me something about Geoffrey Tibble in your letter. & he does sound to be a strange chap. Now all this follows up what I was saying in my last letter. & I am very tentative about it. But you say he is dazzlingly intelligent - & yet he marries that silly girl. & you say he is very vain - & then he proceeds to generalise about you. & even says you are unfeminine because you want to create other things. And this probably influenced you to say in your previous letter that you thought you had a not quick enough brain etc. But I am a bit apt to feel that many of these brilliant & intelligent people do generalise a hell of a lot. & notwithstanding their knowledge of philosophy & such subjects in which they have specialised, they do have the habit of flaunting their superior knowledge, regardless of whether or not it really applies to the particular subject or topic. And you say that you are dissatisfied with the speed of your brain - but isn't it more a question of deeper thinking, & effort to say what you really think, rather than what sounds good - & not generalising - & also on account of much more sensibility & care for other
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people's feelings, what do you think? I think that I am somewhere near the truth.
And certainly I have no complaints about your unfemininity - you are marvellously feminine, my darling - & as I am your very loving & passionate husband, & also as I am pretty normal myself, I am in a very good position to know.
I am sorry darling that I made such a fuss by my cable saying that I disapproved of your going to Cambridge. This was not being personal about Juliette at all - but I had just had your letter telling me about all her troubles. & I had begun to realise that your life at Beaconsfield was far from satisfactory - & I really felt strongly that Caernarvan's fresh air & Vera's cheerful disposition were just what you needed. Now, your letters & [p.es.?] have reassured me. & I deeply hope that you will be alright there; & perhaps about now, or soon, you will have a [tour?] round [Altrincham?] & Caernarvan & [blanduduo?] & then back to Cambridge. If only I could come home. But I must not start that again. & only wait & see. And in the meantime, the news is quite interesting from Libya & from the R.A.F. over Cologne & now Essen. We really seem to be turning on the heat at last. I hope they keep it turned on.
I have so much more about which to write, but I will send this away for 10d tomorrow - & carry on. That silly col L is coming to inspect the Coy tomorrow - I am going to brown him off & ask him as many awkward questions as I can think of. But it is all such a silly useless life anyway. All I want & all I care about is you & Maxie - & the three of us being together forever. Love & kisses to him - & every thing from the bottom of my heart to you, my own darly XXXX Harry.
