Egypt, September 19th, 1919 Dear Helen, Your letter of July 12th reached me in Alexandria when I was convalescing - not holidaying quite as you were. I had a week of it, and returned to the depot three days ago. Alexandria impressed, but failed to inspire me; and therefore I was incapable of writing you a descriptive letter as I intended. It is a top-hole city - the best in the Orient, as well as the most European. It is beautiful in the Oriental sense, and modern in the Occidental way. It has the gaiety of Durban, the stateliness of Bombay and the business atmosphere of Calcutta, while historically it is nearly as interesting as Delhi. I would have seen more of it, had I been strong enough. Instead of spending much time downtown I often went sailing in the harbour which the hospital overlooked. Demobilization is next to a reality now, as my case was referred to India and sanctioned. Instead of authorizing it here, the powers that be wrote again asking if I still desire local release. As I cannot get any leave to go to Jerusalem without first withdrawing my application for demob, no other course is left except to get out of the army here, take my trip, and pay my passage home. It is a price, but value for my money - nothing more. I want to spend a few days in Cairo. I am waiting in Camp for a week until a reply to my letter arrives. I hope to reach Oxford by October 13th. Physically I am the same as always after fever, and have to be very careful not to get a relapse. I am still taking thirty grains of quinine a day until the completion of five weeks' treatment. I am therefore half of the time under the influence of the drug, which always stimulates. Although I miss it very much if I neglect to take it, yet two or three days without it counteracts that tendency. The M.O. passed me out as class "A", so theoretically I am as fit as when I enlisted, but as a matter of fact I do not feel the same person at all, and never feel free of malaria, but that will wear off in England. When I was reading about your work, it occurred to me what an experience it must have been. Then I came to your mention of the fact and your observations. Yes, it is all part of the education which makes anyone cognizant of the way the world is run. I had a similar experience on the Hudson Bay Railway which accustomed me to the ways of people of whom I knew very little. Since then I have learned something of the outlook on life of several other classes and nationalities. The next set for me to associate with will be the Oxford students, for whom I have no particular liking at present. I have had my college days once, and am going there for work rather than college life. At present I prefer the type of man you find in the regular army, whose ideas have been formed from experience and not from books. That Literary Society talk back at Vic. has lost all its charm for me. I have my prejudices, but I assure you I shall adapt myself to my new surroundings and at least, make myself believe I am happy; thus I enjoyed India when away from Persia, and similarly I shall enjoy England while exiled from Canada. If you knew how little Arabic I have done, you would not wonder if I am overworking. In hospital I dropped it altogether, and now I only indulge in moderation. I go to class every day. I am reading an account of a caravan journey in the Sahara which sounds exactly like a similar trip in Persia. I am in the mess, where a score of others are passing the afternoon - the most bored lot I have ever seen, especially the new arrivals. My tent is unbearable; these bell tents have too little circulation. This ante-room is quite comfortable in comparison with the heat of Bombay and other awful places. I do not think there will be any more obstacles in connection with demob, so with a little more patience I shall be away again. If the fever stays away that long, I hope to be in form for writing next time. Yours sincerely, Austin.