H.M.S. Stork,
c/o G.P.O.,
February 23, 1919

Dear Helen,
Received your indulgent letter a short space of time ago, and must now try and get it answered. This is Sunday as you will ascertain if you pick up the almanac and refer to the date. Yes, I know you will say it was last month. Well, it will be, but it isn't. Also it is 5.30 p.m. here. That means about 1.30 p.m. in Toronto. I suppose you are either writing letters, or having an afternoon nap? Oh! But say, where are you going to church tonight? May I have the pleasure? You know, I have nowhere to go tonight. Really though. With confession in my soul,
would you like to know my record of church going since I left Canada? It's likely you'll decide I need a little attention when I return. Well, this is my record outside of church service on board.
In England - once.
In Scotland - once.
In Ireland - once.
Some record. Wouldn't you say so? Oh, well, I'll soon be back to the land of - of - churches. And then - - - I'll reform?

And so you still are flitting about. And unearthing new and pleasant surprises at every turning. Allow my heartiest congratulations to tingle receptively in your ear on your entrance to the Mendelssohn Choir. Some notable, eh? But look here, Miss Davis, don't you think you are over-industrious? What with teaching Domestic Science, attending Shaw Business College and practising with the Mendelssohn Choir, aren't you likely to --- overdo it? Yes, you may be quite busy and extremely happy in the fact - - But - - and that's just
it. Now were I in Toronto I would urge strongly that you - break away frequently. Should skate at Varsity, attend occasional jazz manoeuvres, At Homes, etc. and be more or less flitting about. Change of atmosphere, change of scenery, joyous and light escapades, a good tonic to a life crammed full of deep studies. Am I right? Medical advice, you know. No charge, oh no. Free, quite free.

And how noticeable you are. So few young ladies ever discourse to men on men's attire. It's nearly always about this girl's dress or that woman's hat. Or some girl's wedding trousseau. And of course we must look wise and extremely intelligent. Oh certainly we are always interested. And personally, for that reason, I believe men as a whole know considerably more about the styles and suitability of women's attire than is true of the reverse.

However this man you got your eye on must have been some KNUTT. What, what? But say, didn't he also wear a little Charlie Chaplin? He would have been almost ideal attached to one of those. Such a dear. He sounds to me as though he has been in England at one time or another. So 'chawming'.

Well, well, this will never do. A question you asked me which is very hard to answer. It is (or was), "When are you coming home"? Roughly speaking - as soon as I can. Exactly speaking - I know not. But presumably I'll hove in sight some time in March, or probably as a joke on the first of April.

Say. I spent last weekend with Walter in London. He's O.K. Fatter and foolisher than ever.
Lovingly,
Fred.