Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 11 - Part 21 of 24

2/
presume you would prefer her to get
it as a surprise . Another item
is a nice hamper from the
ACF donated by some people in
Mudgee NSW. Thats about all
the activity that has engulfed
me today. So on to other things.
I shall imitate your
example concerning Richard &
concentrate on just us. The
question of housing & furnishing
can also wait until I see what
my previous comment elicits from
you. This is intended to be just
a chat, maybe a reminiscence too
about us. The wine today served
to remind me too of those glorious
days we had and your references
to your white suit. You sure
look a honey bunch in that
outfit and the color is fitting
too, my sweet one. Perhaps thats
the main reason it becomes you

3/
so well. I too can never forget
it for you wore it on a day you
made me very happy.
And while on the happiness
theme, your vows to make me
very happy when I come down
fill me with delightful thoughts.
It is lovely though, sweet,
for I find life here a pretty bare
affair and when a ray of sunshine 
like that dissolves the grey
clouds, I feel mighty hungry for
you.  It is evident that as
Richard grows older, your feelings
are tending more to our need
to heed the mating call. You
need not worry about misunderstanding.  
I've been around
a fair bit, old bean and
have a good grasp of the effects
of quite a few things on people.
I share the anticipatory joy you
depict about how utterly beaut

4/ 
it is going to be the first night 
we spend together.  After knowing 
the ecstasy of love and then being 
deprived of its magic for so long. 
I fear your first kiss will make 
me dizzy.  Please humour me 
if I make a bit of a chump of  
myself that night for I know 
I shall somehow.  I guess you 
are well aware of the possibility too, 
but forewarned is foremarmed. 
This sounds lammentably weak, I 
know, but this place seems to 
shrivel you up inside and 
ungallant as it sounds, I shall 
probably creep back into your 
life like a fagged out kid 
instead of the conquering warrior 
sweeping you off your feet. Still 
once I'm on my way I suppose 
the oppressive mantle will drop 
off and I may stage a manly 
entrance.

5/ 
From this you can see I'm 
hardly averse from participating 
unrestrainedly in all those things 
you so enticingly portray. Your 
reference to the agony of longing you 
experienced while I was away before 
was right on the mark. Just things 
bring them to mind and you'll 
have a glimpse of how I'm fixed 
week in , week out. I hope it 
lies dormant in you until my 
return is nearly imminent. I 
didnt mean to frighten you by 
expressing doubt that the joys 
of Brisbane could not be repeated. 
I'm sure we shall and more but 
we must not forget that there 
is an added responsibility now but 
as you put it, just let us be 
together and its there , time and 
place are just incidental. I  
know I'm coming to you with 
both hands outstretched so we

6/ 
ought to make out pretty well. 
You seem to feel a bit 
guilty about having an occasional 
blub to me, pet.  Forget it,  
just because your husband's a 
thousand miles or so away. he's 
none the less your husband & 
the helping hand & kindly word 
still remain on the list of things 
definitely his privilige.  If it were 
about food shortages or rationing 
I would quickly send you about 
your business.  Your sorrows have 
wrung from you a cry of distress 
straight from the heart so what 
would you?  So as to put your 
mind at rest, I'll just expect 
you to be what you say in your 
letters and that worth 
anything to me for I want 
everything from you, your joys and 
sorrows for I want life and 
that covers most anything.

7/ 
After being on the shelf so to  
speak. we want a plenty of zest 
about it too. 
I'm afraid Christmas 
will be a very pale shadow of 
old times for you with the 
atmosphere of the year's tragedies 
oppressing you.  No wonder the 
season has little attraction 
for you this year. There is to  
be an open air Midnight 
Mass in Moresby which I and 
thousands will attend. For once 
we should dine sumptuously 
for theres an extra messing 
allowance to provide poultry 
etc.  The jokes on me for my 
name came out of the hat for 
duty Christmas day. That 
would stress you but I really 
dont mind missing the speeches, 
too reminiscent of happy 
banquets of the past.

8/ 
You are certainly going about 
your beautification with gusto 
and thoroughness .  I'm very 
glad too for you are such a 
pretty puss that I want you to 
stay that way.  I mind how you 
look to me well and really, 
my dear , I feel I hardly know 
you.  So on with the glamor . 
nothing would be nicer than 
to be confronted by an exotic 
siren .  Your gloomy prophecies 
dont dismay me one iota . you 
have the happy knack of 
putting over any job well. 
Well time to reach for 
the envelope, my darling bride  
of yesteryear .  Goodnight,  honey 
chile from another of God's 
children who loves you 
always.   Kiss and natty boy . 
Micky 

ACTIVE  
AIR. MAIL 
This envelope must not be used for
coin or valuables.  It cannot be accepted
for registration. 
  
NOTE :— 
Correspondence in this envelope need
not be censored Regimentally.  The con- 
tents are liable to examination at the
Base.— 
The following Certificate must be
signed by the writer :— 
  
I certify on my honour that the contents
of this envelope refer to nothing but private
and family matters. 
  
Signature } 
Name Only } 
Michael Billings 
  
[ Up to three letters may be forwarded in
this Cover, but these must be all from the
same writer. The Cover should be addressed
in such case to the Deputy Base Censor.  The
Covers of enclosed letters must be left open
by sender.] 
  
Address:—  15 . 12 . 43 
Mrs. M. Billings 
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn. Vict

A.C.F. 
Australian Comforts Fund
"Daily Telegraph" and 
"Sunday Telegraph"
Appeal 
  
This CHRISTMAS HAMPER
is the gift of Mr & Mrs H. Wyatt Cox
"Burranah" Mudgee NSW 

WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE 

Speedy & Safe
homecoming

UDGEE AND DISTRICT PATRIOTIC WAR FUND