HOTEL CECIL,
STRAND,
LONDON, W.C.

Sept 23rd 16

Dearest Arfa:

Two letters have just come to-night sent on from Oxford. Alric and Robin were here so we enjoyed them together. Robin came from Lydd for the weed end and he and Alice took me to some wonderful little place called the ‘Chantecler' in Soho for dinner. It has a dado of fighting cocks and crowing cocks and cocks in all sorts of forms and postures. Even the dexoration on the china is a lordly cock. We also had one to eat - very good it was too. I'll take you there when you come home. Robin is having a rather serious exam on Monday which he is rather dreading. He says he may be going over to France within the next six weeks but it is very indefinite and he has no idea what he will be attached to Peter is better again but is a bit tender still about the appendix region. The doctor came again so evidently thought it was worth watching.

Colonel Hulme is staying here and I spoke to him to-day knowing he wouldn't recognize me but as soon as I spoke of you he remembered meeting me. He says all his men are in France now and he expects to go himself very shortly. One of his officers, Captain or Mr. Kennedy has been killed. Mr Meldrum was wounded but is back on duty again I am getting wonderful courage in speaking to people but they never seem to mind.

There was a great crowd of wounded coming from Charring Cross to-day. Some of them who were able to sit up were quite embarassed by the cheering and waving and the flowers thrust upon them. Others were quite happy and enjoying their honours. I'm glad London always pays them that little tribute dearie- it must make it all a little easier to bear.

I played about in the National Gallery for a while to-day but somehow it is like we found it at the Royal Academy - a little bit hard to be as interested as in the old days. Do you know a picture "The Three Graces" by Sir Joshua Reynolds. I don't recollect it but now a days there is only its frame and the name there, a huge one but with the picture cut away. I looked at it and thought at first it was some optical delusion, then I tried another angle but still there was no picture and I realized there was the wall there and nothing more. A bit of wall all nicely framed and named and with glass over it is rather curious even in war time.

One particular part of Oxford I meant to tell you about is "Hell's Passage". Do you know it? Mrs Logan lead me there - a narrow foot path apparently ending every few yards but then is always a turning which takes you on - something like in Active Pass on the boat from Victoria to Vancouver. Mr Logan will know it - ask him about it. Wouldn't I jusst love to run over for a week end dear heart. I think I'll be a stowaway.

Love and kisses from your little pal
Alice Leighton