"Last night we started a Health and Beauty class here. I think there were 46 of us, so as long as the enthusiasm continues, it will be very enjoyable. I am very glad we have been able to arrange this as in these Gays particularly one does need some regular form of exercise.
"On alternate Saturdays I do vol-unwary work at the Allied Services Club. My friend Rita from the office ind I go. We do any work that is required, but an average programme would be as follows. Make beds for an hour or so; serve teas and wash ip the dinner utensils. Peel about 30 Wb. of potatoes for the following day. (usually two do this job to gether) and prepare brussels sprouts—literally hundreds of them—also for the next day. By this time suppers are starting and this is the very busy period. There is usually one hot dish already cooked and in the oven ready to serve. But the main diet of the Forces seems to be baked beans on toast. Really I don't think I have ever seen so many baked beans as we serve. It is great fun though, and we really feel weary. by the end of the evening. As a rule we are rushing upstairs and downstairs and making endless pots of tea the whole time.
"There are about 60 beds, I think. and some of the lads stay there odd night, and some stay a week or two. The club is financed by one Lady Yule and all the work is carried on by voluntary helpers except the Manager and Cook and a couple of chars. In this way the charges to the lads are quite moderate. 1/6 a night for bed and breakfast or 10s. a week. A hot lunch for 10d. and other refreshments are quite reasonable. There is also a good reading room. with wireless and piano and a billiard room.
"The weather these days is a little treacherous, a few days of really cold weather and then a mild spell. Yesterday was very cold and today is as mild as one could wish. It is time to start getting ready for bed—someone has just called out that a night-cap cup of tea has been prepared.
hope you are going on alright and keeping safe. In one of the evening papers last week there was a blood-curdling description of life in Shanghai. and one would get the impression that it was scarcely safe for anyone to live there. Murders round every corner, all civilians armed and ready to shoot, etc.! I hope it is not as bad as it was made out in this article.'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.