12.2.1917 HM Bonsecours
My dearest Mother
How is life? It is a little less cold here or I am acclimatised. My chaps and chilblains are almost gone and dont trouble me anymore. I hope you have got all those papers by now. I sent them off a few days ago by registered post. The wire about the glasses was in reply to a letter from M. saying that Robin wanted a pair of glasses and couldn’t get hold of them and they are almost un-buyable now, and would I lend him mine: she was very good and said of course I must say no if I didn’t wish to let them go. I have always felt rather a scrub for hugging them up so I sent them rather wired you to send them. I suppose he is still in England.
Did I tell you I have a most amusing patient Brigadier General Umfreville (English despite his name), he is Inspector General of the Military Prisons with the B.E.F. or some such title. He is a most amusing man and comes to me 3 times a week. You will no doubt say , “why does he go to a Belgian hospital”. Well because there are no physiotherapy hospitals in France and he would have otherwise to go home to England and lose his job!! For the same reason I have a Colonel Barton-Smith, also on the staff here sergt-major Parkin. They get to know some Belgian officer who introduces them to the Medecin-chef here, who is delighted to have them as it brings kudos to his hospital.
The latest German frightfulness seems to be a rather empty affair, personally I don’t think it will make much difference. The Seine is almost completely frozen over in some places and the narrower channels between the islands and the mainland are quite blocked with the broken ice. The tugs charge the ice and break it up as well as they can.
To-morrow night Tim and I are having an early dinner with Miss Hunter and are going to play bridge afterwards. We have got leave until 11, a great event! We went to tea with her at the canteen last week which was quite amusing. Last Sunday afternoon we went to the Opera, Cavalleria Rusticana and L Femme. They were quite good on the whole we enjoyed ourselves very much.
Would you please ask Father if he could send me a little money, I am nearing the rocks save for my dress allowance.
I must dry up now
Your loving Dorothy
About Alford 