Beirut, Lebanon

20 July 1941

Dear Alice,

Alright, alright, I promise, no sudden packages from me in the mail. (You're a dear friend to me too).

Our bit of action is done, finally; you might hear about it in the papers, but I thought you should know that we're done for now and stuck on guard duty. At least the view's nice and the port's open, we've got some breathing room at least, but I don't know what's going to happen next. The boys are grateful for the reprieve though, and have finally decided on a name for our little spitfire.

Adelaide, better known as Addy, has already caught on to a lot in army life; we keep her busy and occupied (easier now that we're not in battle), well fed and watered, and she likes to hang around my shoulders as I read or write (so I apologize if there are stray marks on the letters from here on out, she's fascinated by the movements of my hand while writing). We've fashioned her a little collar from old uniforms, and someone even got a little tag made for her with her name, her nickname (Spitfire), and our division and brigade. I honestly was surprised that we were allowed to keep her, but here she is, our little mascot.

(She's already killed a few lizards, I'm very proud)

I think you can do anything you set your mind to, but you'll finish medical school and be a fine doctor. I'd trust you in a heartbeat with my life (or figuring out my cause of death). And as for your cooking, I still want to try it, but don't worry if you can't master it (it takes a while and some practice), I've got you covered in that aspect. Mum taught me and Vera how to cook, clean, and garden; Vera took more to cooking and cleaning, I took more to gardening, but I don't starve.

Mending takes practice, that's all. Not everyone can be perfect at everything right from the beginning; think of it as practicing stitches for doing autopsies or surgeries. And if you can't get the hang of it, there's always taking things to the tailor. Keep your chin up and keep trying, I think you'll be surprised with your progress.

Your Friend,

Matthew

[With the letter is a sketch of the newly named Adelaide with an obviously dead lizard at her feet - the same wide-eyed, innocent look as before on her little face]