T. E. Lawrence to W. H. Brook

Mount Batten,
Plymouth

30.XII.29

Dear Brook*

Stokes that was. It is rather fun hearing from you. I forget what I wrote exactly in Revolt: I hope it wasn't rude. Some people said I was rude to everyone. You didn't deserve it, if so, for you and Yells did a very good job of work there with us. Probably there is a lot more of rude remarks about you in the bigger book, Seven Pillars of Wisdom: but that, thank God, you'll probably never see. I haven't copies of either the little book or the big book. That's what I think about them....

The poor kid - am I to god-father him? Fathering I've dodged so far: god-fathering is possibly easier, as one doesn't have any financial responsibilities. Don't tell the child he's named after me, because then he would have to change to Shaw, and again to something-else later on, like me! Of course I shall be very pleased: but you say the little misery is only a few weeks old. Perhaps he will turn out a violent pacifist (unlike his father) and curse us both as a couple of blood-stained old dodderers, when he is old enough to curse. They talk, I believe, at about two (parrots not before five) and walk at much the same age. Infant camels, as you have probably told Mrs. Brook, can walk three hours after birth. One up on them.

You do not say what you are doing now. I assume that it's not what you did in Arabia: though parts of Brecon would lend themselves well to irregular war. I've come down in the world - enlisted about eight years ago (when the politics of the Middle East got smooth, and let me go) and propose to stay on enlisted till my beard is long and white. It is a life which pleases me - few cares, some friends, a little work, much laughing.

I must stop: you'll be getting bored. If ever the summer arrives next year, and the roads get hard and dry, then I'll try and roll up on a motor-bike and teach the young idea road-sense. Let's see, he'll be about one then: not old enough to hold a licence, but coming on.

Yours

T E Shaw.

* Please note (for imitation) the entire absence of ceremony!