Well here I am greatly to my surprise on leave already.  I hadn’t expected to go for another month or two.  However we had three casualties amongst our officers which brought my leave much sooner than I had expected so here I am.

I regret to say that when I landed in Folkestone yesterday I had to cable for £30, or $150.  If I had been in France for another month or two I might have been able to save $100, or so.  However my leave came through and I only had two alternatives.  Refuse it and perhaps not get another for six months or cable for money.  I felt that I should take the leave as when a fellow is in this game he never knows if he is going to get another or not.  I cabled – “Leave, send Thirty Pounds “Royalbank” – Cecil Frost.”  So I expect that Dad will know exactly what to do.  Have it sent to the Royal Bank as per usual only quickly as possible.  I am going up to the Royal tomorrow and will tell them what I have done and to let me know exactly when it comes.

Might say I am awfully disappointed.  I was so glad that my leave came through as I thought I should be able to spend a few days with Leslie who as of course you know has been on leave.  Well I rushed right through to London and inquired at the Strand Palace but they told me that he had gone.  I was awfully disappointed.  I cam back about an hour later and found a note from him saying that he had heard that I was here and was just around the corner in the wash room.  However he was leaving at once as he had to return.  Now wasn’t that hard luck.  However I am going to have a real good time and try and spend as little money as I can – I hope that you have cabled the necessary.  “ I will let you know when it comes.”  Thanks muchly.

With the very best of love -