"I could not tell you before you went, because I know you would have felt obliged to give up going, and your book is so important; and I have not told you since, because you must not have anything to worry you while so far away. Also I was glad to bear it alone, and to save you the hard part. One soon forgets the hardness, in the joy.
"Jane was with me.
"We are sending no announcement to the papers, for fear you should see it on the way home. Very few people know.
"Our little son will be six weeks old, when you get back. I shall be quite strong again.
"I hope you will be able to read this tiny writing. Nurse would only give me one sheet of paper!
"His eyes are blue. His little mouth is just like yours. I kiss it, but it doesn't kiss back! He is a darling, Ronnie, but—he isn't you!
"Come back soon, to your more than ever loving wife,
"HELEN.
"Yes, the smudgy places are tears, but only because I am rather weak, and so happy."
Crossing the first page came a short postscript, in firmer hand-writing: