HOTEL CECIL,
STRAND,
LONDON, W.C.

Sept 25th. 16

Dearest Pal:

Now for may half hour with Arfa which I do love so much. I got your dear little letter this morning but I don't like to think of you being cold in your hut. Why were you turned out of your nice châlet and who has it now? I suppose you are never sure of being in one place long and as soon as you get it comfortable you have to move on. Do you need any warmer clothes? I can get them for you any time now.

It was cold in Oxford the day you wrote - except if you happened to be in the sunshine and the sun didn't favour us very often that day. The last couple of days have been nice and warm and I do hope they are the same with you.

London is a funny place. Yesterday there wasn't a mail all day and yet there were issues of papers every hour of the day. And of course you know the difficulty of getting anything to eat except in these big places. I am finding Lyons very useful. Alric and Nanny and [?] are coming to have dinner here with me some night. Is that very [?]travagant! I wish you would just happen along.

Have you discarded your kilt althogether that you speak of sending it back. I hardly thought it would last long particularly in draughty places.

My peregrinations (I don't know if that is the right word but it looks well) led me to-day along the Embankment to the Parliament Buildings and then to Westminster Abbey. Here I was just beginning to enjoy myself when we were all shooed out for some reason or other. Everything is carefully guarded there and some of the tombs have sand bags heaped over them. I wandered along the first wide street I saw not noticing much but thinking I was going toward Trafalgar Square and presently much to my surprise again found myself at Victoria Station. Why my feet should gravitate in that direction I can't imagine Looking at the map now I see how it happened but I think I'll have to adopt your compass for I've no sense of direction at all. These winding streets though would keep even a compass busy but I'm getting on pretty well. After Victoria Station I struck across to St James Park where I was quite at home. I haven't seriously looked for anything to do yet for I want to find my way about first. Also it will make a difference whether I am at Hampstead or not - I'll want to be as near as possible to what I do.

How I do wish you wre here showing me around again. I remember so many things now that you told me about places. Dear heart I do envy the wives here going about with their husbands. They look so happy.

This is a great week end place. On Saturday and yesterday it was absolutely full but to-day they have melted away. I haven't seen Charlie Duggan - I don't think he can be here.

Good night dearest heart with love and kisses
From your little pal
Alice Leighton