T. E. Lawrence to Clare Sydney Smith

Mount Batten;

Wed, 25 Jan. 33.

I sent you a wire last night, saying the week-end after this. We are still short-handed in the Marine Section and I have been doing extra duty to make up for the days I will be away. The boats are running perfectly (not the Biscuit: the weather is colder than charity) and did very excellently in S/L Jones' crash last Thursday week.

Now about getting away. I can reach Worthydown by 1 p.m., even on a wet day. It is about 160 miles from here. There I shall hope for a Moth: if it cannot get through, for weather or other reason, then please send a signal there, or phone message.

S/Ldr. Jones commands here temporarily. Can the G/C write to him, and ask for me to have an extra-long pass? Normally I can only get off after duty Saturday (12 noon). I'd like to get off at reveille on Friday, so as to reach you on Friday evening. Return on Sunday morning to Worthydown, and ride off from there about 1 p.m. for here.

It is a pity it is so formidably far. That is about the best possible. It gives me two clear nights at Manston anyhow.

I can't find any confirmation of your dog-quarantine modification.

Nothing here, but ghosts everywhere. And so cold.

T.E.S.