My Darling，
I’m so distressed about the truss——I hope itis comfortable＆does not worry you.Did you strain yourself or stretch unduly， and will you nowbe able to do your exercises which are so potent a preventative of indigestion？ Please take great careof yourself.
I have big news.Mary is home from Germany for good＆has applied for a position in London ornearby. It’s very good of her because she was having a thrilling time in Germany. She asked tobe sent home so that she could be near us. Andthey granted her request.She rang me up from Tilbury，＆said‘I’m home for good’。 I think shemay be demobilized in February——I feel warmed＆ comforted by her presence.
I’m so happy to see from your letter that youare enjoying the beauty of the Lakes＆ the comfort＆elegance of the Villa. Ihave had a most amusingletter from Sarah describing her apricot coloured＆mirrored bathroom.
Work is progressing rather slowly， but I hope surely， on the Chartwell＆London fronts——Whitbread is industrious＆thorough＆ smiling.Max’s hens are beautiful＆have laid a few（a veryfew） eggs， of exquisite flavour but of diminutive size——about the size of a pigeon’s egg.So we have to give two instead of one， to those who areregistered with us.But Moppett says，they will get bigger＆more numerous presently.
No German prisoners yet till after the Harvest .It will be lovely when the lake camouflage is gone＆also the barbed wire.
Your Pal，Damaskinos is here being entertained by Mr Attlee＆Crankie. I see Anthony Eden attended the dinner.
I must hurry because your mail is just off. I’m sending 2 bottles of brandy as requested.I hope they are the right sort？
I enclose a cutting from the DT.
Your loving
Clemmie
亲爱的：
很难过听说你又得绑上那个托带——真希望你绑上它时不会感到难受，也不会为此犯愁。不要把自己绷得太紧，也不要系得太松。现在你还能做些运动吗？那对预防消化不良可有效呢！请一定细心照顾好自己。
我有重大新闻告诉你。玛丽已从德国回来再也不走了，并在伦敦也许是伦敦附近申请了一份工作。她要求回国，能和我们在一起，这对她很好，因为她在德国经历了一段紧张而刺激的生活。他们答应了她的请求。她从提柏立给我打来电话说：“我要回家啦！”。我想她可能二月份可以回家——一想到她将要出现于我们中间，我就感到一丝暖意和欣慰。
从来信中得知你在尽情地欣赏着湖光秀色和山庄的优雅及舒适，我为之感到高兴。从萨拉那我收到了一封有趣的信，她在信中描述了她那装有镜子的杏黄色的浴室。
房子装修进度缓慢，但我深信在卡特威尔前线和伦敦前线的怀特布雷德确实在勤奋地、周密地、愉快地干着活。马克斯家的母鸡很漂亮，已下了几个（为数不多的几个）鸡蛋，味道很好，但很小——大约只有鸽子蛋那么大。因此，我们需要给和我们登记过的人两个鸡蛋而不是一个。不过据莫皮特说，最近会产出更多的也大一些的鸡蛋。
自感恩节之后不再见德国战俘出来干活了。当湖上的掩饰物及铁丝网消失了，一切就好了。
你的朋友，达马斯金诺丝在这受到阿特利和克兰金先生的款待；安东尼·伊登也出席了晚宴。
你的信刚发出，我必须快点。按你的要求我寄去两瓶白兰地，希望是你要的那种。
随信寄来一幅《每日电讯报》上的版画。
爱你的——
克莱门汀