Henri to Yvette.

650 Gen Tpt Coy
Italy

9 December 1944

My darling,

Yesterday I received your two letters, one in English the other in French. I know now that you received the nine pounds and what you did with them. I am very happy and I only wish that I were able to see you in your long, warm, pretty dressing gown…I beg you not to lessen your joy by worrying about the state of my finances. If you knew what joy I have in being able to do a small thing for you, you would not speak about it any more…. Ten days ago I sent you without warning a little gift. Some stockings. I hope you have received them already…. Among the stockings you have no doubt found also a handkerchief with a design in the corner. It was done by a friend, an Italian painter who did it in pencil for you. It is a gift from him…..A warning, darling: several days ago I bought some good woollen material for a dress. It’s black. I will send it to you tomorrow. I remember that a year ago, when I sent you a coral brooch (until now it seems to me that you don’t like it) you wrote that I should have bought you a black dress for the money. OK, so here it is. A little late, but to make up for that I think that you will be pleased with the quality of the wool.  . A secret: Quite frankly, I have filled this letter with sartorial details to avoid talking of something else.  To avoid speaking about Greece.  I want this letter to reach you. However, I want to defy the censor and say a few words to you.

I have just this instant read Churchill’s speech. The men who yesterday he called “gallant fighters”(eng), today he treats as bandits and gangsters. (Eng) There was a great Englishman who fought for liberty. It was Lord Byron. Now it is “les gangsters” who fight to liberate their country from the “liberators”. I don’t dare defy the censor too much, so I will say only that the war approaches its end, so the convulsions of Europe begin.  And along with them, the convulsions of my heart. Goodbye, darling, go on loving me as much as I love you,