My Darling,
I’m so distressed about the truss—I hope it is comfortable and does not worry you. Did you strain yourself or stretch unduly, and will you now be able to do your exercises which are so potent① a preventative of indigestion②?Please take great care of yourself.
I have big news. Mary is home from Germany for good and has applied for a position in London or nearby. It’s very good of her because she was having a thrilling③ time in Germany. She asked to be sent home so that she could be near us. And they granted her request. She rang me up from Tilbury, and said, “I’m home for good”. I think she may be demobilized④ in February—I feel warmed and comforted by her presence.
I’m so happy to see from your letter that you are enjoying the beauty of the Lakes and the comfort and elegance of the Villa. I have had a most amusing letter from Sarah describing her apricot⑤ colored and mirrored bathroom.
Work is progressing rather slowly, but I hope surely, on the Chartwell and London fronts—Whitbread is industrious and thorough and smiling. Max’s hens are beautiful and have laid a few(a very few)eggs, of exquisite flavor but of diminutive⑥ size—about the size of a pigeon’s egg. So we have to give two instead of one, to those who are registered with us. But Moppett says, they will get bigger and more numerous presently.
No German prisoners yet till after the Harvest. It will be lovely when the lake camouflage is gone and also the barbed wire.
Your Pal, Damaskinos is here being entertained⑦ by Mr. Attlee and Crankie. I see Anthony Eden attended the dinner.
I must hurry because your mail is just off. I’m sending two bottles of brandy as requested. I hope they are the right sort.
I enclose a cutting from the DT.
Your loving,
Climentine
① potentadj. 强有力的,(药等)有效力的,有效能的
② indigestionn. 消化不良
③ thrillingadj. 毛骨悚然的,令人兴奋的
④ demobilizev. 使复员,使退伍,遣散
⑤ apricotn. 杏仁,杏黄色的
⑥ diminutiveadj. 小的,微小的
⑦ entertainv. 使欢乐,使娱乐,招待,款待
克莱门汀·丘吉尔致丈夫
亲爱的:
听说你又得绑上那个托带,我感到很难过——真希望你绑上它时不会感到难受,也不会为此犯愁。不要把自己绷得太紧,也不要系得太松。现在你还能做些运动吗?那对预防消化不良可有效呢!请一定细心照顾好自己。
我有重大新闻告诉你。玛丽已从德国回来再也不走了,并在伦敦也许是伦敦附近申请了一份工作。她要求回国,能和我们在一起,这对她很好,因为她在德国经历了一段紧张而刺激的生活。他们答应了她的请求。她从提柏立给我打来电话说:“我要回家啦!”。我想她可能二月份回家——一想到她将要出现于我们中间,我就感到一丝暖意和欣慰。
从来信中得知你在尽情地欣赏着湖光秀色和山庄的优雅及舒适,我为之感到高兴。从萨拉那我收到了一封有趣的信,她在信中描述了她那装有镜子的杏黄色的浴室。
房子装修进度缓慢,但我深信在卡特威尔前线和伦敦前线的怀特布雷德确实在勤奋地、周密地、愉快地干着活。马克斯家的母鸡很漂亮,已下了几个(为数不多的几个)鸡蛋,味道很好,但很小——大约只有鸽子蛋那么大。因此,我们需要给和我们登记过的人两个鸡蛋而不是一个。不过据莫皮特说,最近会产出更多的也大一些的鸡蛋。
自感恩节之后不再见德国战俘出来干活了。当湖上的掩饰物及铁丝网消失了,一切就好了。
你的朋友,达马斯金诺丝在这受到了阿特利和克兰金先生的款待。我看到安东尼·伊登也出席了晚宴。
你的信刚发出,我必须快点。按你的要求我寄去两瓶白兰地,希望是你要的那种。
随信寄来一幅《每日电讯报》上的版画。
爱你的,
克莱门汀