T. E. Lawrence to Clare Sydney Smith

14, Barton Street.
12/VIII/31.

Odyssey creeps slowly over the ground, like a snake with glanders. I wonder if it will ever finish? Anyway, I shall not do a thing else that distracts me till it does finish. My working hours have reached seventeen a day! Unless you wire me to the contrary I shall leave here on Monday next (17th) and reach Mount Batten that evening: to stay for the two or three days you suggest and then ride back again. The C/O need not wire nor make any change in casualty forms; he can merely give me a new pass when this Lambe Cup (what for, in the name of Heaven?) is syllabussed.

No Biscuit till there is no Homer - I'm afraid. My Bank is quite firm about cheques now.

I should laugh if the Schneider fizzled yet!

T.E.S.