I spent Christmas day in Rome in the catacombs.

I could not wear my heart upon my sleeve for duchesses to peck at.

It is just as you say, Dad and Mother made the day so dear and beautiful.

I did not know how glad I would be to be back here for while the trip East led to no news value, to me personally it was interesting.

But I am terribly tired after the last nine days, sleeping on sofas, decks, a different deck each night and writing all the time and such poor stuff.