Belgium Dec 1st 1918 My dear Mother Your first most welcome letters from "Cal" USA received a few days ago also a beautiful pair of warm socks, which arrived ok. Was awfully interested to her of your trip & experiences, both before & after! Yes, I can sympathize with you over packing at Highwood, it must have been a fearsome task & no one to help you. It seems strange to think of the old house being rented but it was certainly the only thing to do. I expect it was pleasing to you to be able to give old Lee his passports it was about time he moved on! I was sorry to hear you had had such a rough voyage down, it must have been a dirty storm all right & much a relief to you both to reach port safely. I don't wonder the "Bird