24 Whitehall Lodge,

Pages have N.10

April 20^th

Dear Mamma,

Very many thanks for keeping the household running, and Peter's temper sweet, with the lovely big parcel of cereals.

I think I can proudly state that he has had breakfast every morning since, which is not the usual state of affairs. Otherwise, the only possibilities are, to have porridge one morning and no porridge the next by way of change.

I love the skirts you sent with them too, and have worn one of them constantly ever since. Lightweight smart clothes are particularly hard to find in England (there is no summer, of course), and as I have no sewing machine I cannot even make a few simple things. So I very much appreciate all the nice things you have sent me, especially as they are just the things one cannot get here. In fact, it is banal but have to say that it is only for woolen, both, by the yard that England has much advantage. I think it is possibly true also that many of the very cheap clothes in England are of really very good quality for value, but of such dreadful design. It is the same with other things too. That is what makes one so cross about England, that for the same money one could have something really desirable, of simple elegance; and many English people prefer this now but are forced to have the old traditional. I am thinking of houses now, where it is not allowed in many places to build a modern house, which would 'spoil the neighbourhood.'

But we have to put up with this shanty a little longer after all. I'm hoping it won't be breaking up Thomas's life at too crucial an age when we finally move. I couldn't do with him having any more problems of such a vital soul, he is a little devil enough just by nature. He is a big, bad lad now. This afternoon, in an old too-tight pair of trousers, thick soled shoes, long hair and coat, he looked a little teddy boy

love to you all, Julia