Sunday, February 21st, 1943

My darling Joan,

Thank you, dear, for your nice letter. The twins enjoy them as much as Daddy and I and stand and listen eagerly while I read it to them. When I came to the bit where you said you were all very tired of the snow, John said “Ooh, we wouldn’t be, we like it”, but then we never have so much of it here, do we? I don’t like it because it leaves such a sloshy mess. We have had a very mild winter, which was very lucky since we have to be very careful of fuel – in fact, that’s rationed⁽¹⁾ too – and it’s such a dreadful price. There’s a nice promise of Spring about now, and one or two days recently have been lovely. We have some nice yellow crocuses out too, and on Friday afternoon I put the parsnip seeds in.

Did I tell you that our rabbit Sylvia had eight babies? They are two weeks old now and pretty little fat things – all grey, but some have a white paw or white around the neck. They still keep snuggled up in the bed Sylvia made and don’t run about much – I suppose it is too cold for them. Now Daddy will have to see if he can make another hutch, but it’s so difficult to get wood.

Auntie Rosie and Uncle George came here for the weekend and went back Monday morning early as Uncle George had some business to do in London as they went through. Nanny has gone back with them, and we miss her. I put your blue and green Scotch kilt on Anne and it fits her beautifully and hangs so well.. She was very proud of herself and kept it on all the weekend. John and Anne have a day’s holiday tomorrow for half term – I expect I will take them for a walk in the afternoon. They don’t like going to Wealdstone shopping and usually stay home alone Saturday mornings when I go.

Yes, I do think you will have to teach them some games you have learned in America. They will be much too big to lie in a corner and be covered up, although I think they will be so pleased to see you they will do anything you say. At first anyway. They were playing mothers and fathers this morning and Anne was a doctor too, and had a lot of medicine bottles and Teddy and her baby Mary were ill. John was happy being a paperboy with a bundle of newspapers which he left outside each door after a gentle rap.

I am so glad you are able to help Auntie Mary in the house while she is so busy. You can really feel, darling, that it is your contribution to the war effort.

It is a pity you have had to give up the dancing lessons and movies but it will all help to win this nasty war. Besides, it would be rather risky trying to get on buses in such a crowd. We have to queue at all our bus stops now, but I like it much better than a pushing crowd. I hate crowds that jostle me about.

I think you are very clever to make your dollies some pyjamas. I have been thinking I would like to make some for Anne’s doll. I have some material over from John’s pyjamas but I haven’t had the nerve to start yet. She always takes her to bed and would love them, but I’m afraid I couldn’t manage without a pattern. I feel very pleased you have named one of your dollies after me, dear, and Anne’s face fairly beamed with delight we I read to her you had named your last doll Anne.

I am glad you all enjoyed the “Black Swan”. It sounded very exciting and it was very kind of Uncle Carl to give you all such a lovely treat. I was sorry to hear about Teddy’s foot though.

Well, darling, we are actually going to Buckingham Palace shortly for Daddy’s award. Isn’t it exciting? I am so thrilled, and proud too, that your Daddy has been given it. I will be able to tell you more about it later. I am very pleased and proud of you too, because Auntie Mary says you have nice nails. I expect you are proud too. Glad you liked the snap – I forget which one it was – but my hair is no shorter, dear. It’s rolled up at the end and perhaps I had recently had it set and it looked shorter.

Hope you are keeping well.

Much love and many kisses from
Mummy
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