Henri to Yvette.

650 Gen Tpt Coy
Italy

28 October

It’s horrible, so many of our letters that never arrive! You said to me one day that you believed peace would not come very soon. You are right. And on top of that there’s that cruel period after the war, waiting for demobilisation. That will never mean peace for me…. You speak so nicely about my age. And of yours. And of the child that you want in your maternal womb. And you do some charming additions. Thank you darling.  Certainly darling, we will still have a child. And I prefer a daughter. And she will be called Helene. Certainly, little one all that will happen. I believe it with all my heart.  Only — will I still have some hair on my head. That hair you love so much and which is disappearing with alarming speed…

When I see our little house, our hearth, I see it so well, so clearly as though it were already here. I see the big boy Ouri, I see the little girlie Helene, who is not beautiful but so sweet and intelligent and loved by everyone. I see the furniture with simple and joyous lines, arranged tastefully by you. I feel the atmosphere all warm, gentle, happy, filled with love. Oh how well I feel it, darling! I see Ouri finish his coffee and very quickly go to school. (He will always be ready right at the last minute and that will cause you vexation and continual remonstration). I see little Helene and I feel her arms around my neck. And I see her kiss in her eyes and I feel it on my lips. Then everything is lost. I don’t see my departure. But I see, in the evening, my return. The joy and happiness which is reflected in everyone, in everything. Then, supper. Friends. Reading, discussion. We listen to music on the radio. We drink coffee. We smoke. We love each other.  We are so happy at home, the two of us and those who come to visit, that we are too lazy to go to town.  I see all that so well.  But where was I all day? It’s a fact that I was outside, because in my dream I see my return home. But where was I? What did I do during the day? Why has my dream, my imagination not told me that?  Where was I, in a factory, in an office (horror!) in a shop (double horror)? But don’t make anything of it, Yvette. I will soon imagine something in that direction too….

The press these days speaks of the Spanish events and all of a sudden there I am with all my thoughts and the country I love so much. So many memories come to me. The important thing now is the new France. Circumstances have changed and the Spanish people remain the same: ready for all sacrifices. The Spanish Republic will be reborn and I don’t know why but I will be proud of that thinking that I contributed with the best years of my life. But I did not only give, there. I also received.

Thank you for my birthday present. I have not yet received it and I don’t know how Did will be able to find me. But you are sweet, you know, to think so tenderly about me.