March 12th, 1951
Tel Aviv

Poiky darling,

After a lot of grumbling and protests I’ve got your type-writer. Isn’t it wonderful. I had thought I couldn’t type any more but now I see that it is almost as hard to forget as it is to learn. Sweetheart mine, you never mentioned whether you received my birthday telegram and letter to you. For all I know you may feel forgotten and neglected but I did send you greetings at the time. The trouble is I never know where to find you and even now as I am writing this letter I am wondering whether you have once again succumbed to the charms of Paris, or whether London Town is captivating your heart. You roving tramp, you!

Last week the Kauffmanns arrived and I quite agree with you that they are charming people. He told me that I remind him very much of my mother and he even brought me a photo of my mother together with his sister. Wasn’t it nice? I haven’t told you yet what happened when they arrived. The previous day I went to the TWA office and asked them to leave a note at the airport to the effect that I would be waiting for them at the terminus, as the plane came in too early for me to go to Lydda. The idiot of a man who teleprinted the message addressed it to Miss Confino and, as I learned afterwards, Miss Confino was called often and vainly at the airport. As it was I waited over an hour in town and recognised them upon their arrival only because they were the only passengers who looked lost. And then I had been misled by your people who had been talking about them as old. However I took them to their hotel and we sent a telegram and later had breakfast together. They are very thrilled with their visit and feel most enthusiastic about the country. They also nearly lost their brand new Rolleicord for which I got them a film (with great difficulty – remember that) and because of that we had to cancel an evening at the theatre, to which I had been looking forward a lot. Mrs K. gave me a nice scarf  and for the children she brought chocolate – the wonderful chocolate we once tasted at Rosswalds – and cocoa. I don’t have to enlarge on descriptions as to how the chocolate was and is still being received by the little stinkers. I told you yesterday that the baby wasn’t feeling too good but I am happy to say that he was as fit as a fiddle today. Liki on the other hand was sick quite suddenly and without any warning, but she does not feel any the worse for it. Uki came today and the children adore her because she plays so nicely with them. Incidentally she did send you the addresses.

I went to the PIO the other day to see Davis. I thought he might be able to include the Kfms. in his tours. He told me that there was hardly anything doing nowadays. He sends his best regards and was sorry he did not respond more fully to your message. He was in the middle of moving and they are both pleased with the house. The vegetable garden is already prepared, but the chickens haven’t joined the family yet.

Last Saturday morning I went out with Malchi and the kids. Mrs M. was too occupied to come along too, as they are maidless and Jimmy is still ill. I think she is beginning to realise that she has taken on too much and he is not happy with domestic arrangements either. We went to Bessy’s and spent a most enjoyable morning there. Best regards from all.

Sammy repaid the £10 and I used the money to settle with Binkin and the nurse. I finished with the injections yesterday and she thought I looked already much better. I feel it too and as for being tired, those two kids of mine are troublesome enough to tire a horse, let alone poor little me. As a matter of fact everybody is complaining of being tired and I think it’s the food. We have also had a very severe hamsin and for the first time my kidneys didn’t hurt during such weather, though I wanted to go to bed and wait till it’s all over.

There was a letter from Matty in which she said you spoiled the kids good and solid for her. I don’t know what other news there was as the letter was for downstairs. I had a very nice one from Anne and I am looking forward to hearing from you about her. The Simons are coming back tomorrow and I hope they will have something interesting to tell me. Ruth has been very ill and is terribly weak. She asked her mother to bring back some liver injections as foreign makes are now quite unobtainable. I think it would be a wise idea if you did the same. As you know I am longing to hear some more about Frankfurt from you. I only hope your letters will arrive soon.

I may be able to get a woman two or three times a week. She would come at about 2 o’clock and stay for the night. I feel I can’t manage all on my own and getting the children up and down the stairs several times a day is not easy either. She is a Bulgarian woman, about 50, with no family, and looks a most intelligent and trustworthy soul. She knew your family in Bulgaria. I thought I would offer her about £12 a month if she comes three times a week. It would be very convenient because I wouldn’t have to worry about lunch for her which is quite a job, believe me. We still haven’t had any potatoes.

Jona tells me that her husband is going to London beginning of April. I shall give him Ma’am’s number. You might be there. He is staying only about 10 days.

Please give my love to all and sundry and write again soon to your old stinker who loves you and at times envies you a little too,

Bossy.