1 21 Dec 15 My Pr As usual no Sunday letter from you but luckily one from Mater
which of course makes a good substitute! Your fruit has come, whilst I
tender thanks to the pr, I ought also to scold her, as these luxuriesare not
required by a bw in present conditions, & he has no need of these signs of
a pr's affection. If circumstances change I won't hesitate to let you know. Really the Genl has the most unfortunate way of putting things.
He said to Russell last night 'If by any chance you are going to the
office after dinner you might....' As Russell never by any chance
misses going there for 2 to 3 hours this was not the way to put it. R is
too much inclined to take up a defensive half apologetic attitude with
him & it does not do. Tonight I am to dine with the 7th Div 14 miles away. I
wish I could have got out of it, especially as it is very wet. I wish I could hear more about Rex's movement's. Except
for strange references in Mater's letter I know nothing. Fearful complications have arisen in regard to leave!
If one goes to Ireland one gets an extra day. Singleton who
wants to go with me intends to go to Ireland in order to do this,
& he wants me to do the same ! If I don't I shall presumably
have to find my way back by a long Rl journey instead of by
motor. I hardly think it good enough to go to Ireland merely
to get the extra day even with one's ticket paid for unless I go to see Rex! The arrangements 2 are as follows. Arrive Victoria 7.30 pm 31st
Leave ' 8 AM 8thif I go to Ireland
8 AM 7thif I don't go to Ireland.
You can decide this for me! I will not take the extra day unless I go to Ireland, but
am quite prepared to go there by morning train & return by
next night train, if thought worth while, especially as it costs neither me nor
the Govt nothing. You must however let me know by the 30th. As regards our own plans I will fit in with anything
you like - London the whole time, I of Wight (? Freshwater )
or some South Coast town - ? Chisilbeach - Ireland - Devonshire but you must square the
family. Poor overworked Pr, but it is no use my trying
to make plans here. Some of the plans you can leave
till I come back if you wish as long as you settle the main question
about Ireland. I will try to write a family letter on the
subject of my experiences at the front. Your b w Wilfred B Spender 21 Dec 15 Mrs N has wired something about a 'ball' this may change all the
leave proposals totally, making me a week or more later !