Dearest Benjie,

Thank you for your letter of 18th December. All I am thankful for is to learn that you are all right. You have been through a great deal, Benjie and it shows an extremely high degree of consideration on your part to have thought of my interests. Thank you.

As you know, Veronica and the children are here and we are very happy to be together. I have seen the toys you got them, Benjie, and they are very fine toys indeed. Thanks a lot. And thank you too for Miliswa's watch. I can't thank you enough for all you are doing but I can assure you that I appreciate it more because it is done by you.

I have not yet received the dictionary you and Ernie sent: so I can't comment on it. But I can thank you, as I now do, for sending it.

Thank you for renewing the “Reader's Digest” subscription. The “Cape Times” and “Cape Argus” subscriptions expire in May while the “Sunday Times” will continue to be delivered until the 9th September. I am not sure whether I shall ask you to renew subscriptions for the latter. It has become quite barren.

About my studies. The syllabus arrived and I noted the requirements. As I told you, I had applied for registration but have not yet received confirmation. I suspect that the snag is my lack of a classical language. I, therefore, intend to write to Senate House and find out whether I can do the required language at the same time as I am doing the degree or whether I must have the language before I can study for the degree.

After much thought I have decided to attempt Arabic, in spite of the emotions such a choice might arouse! The reason is, really, that it is an African language in which a great deal of early African history has been written. I hope you will have no Yiddish objections.