This is now my kingdom: my bed. A constitutional kingdom: for I may not change it nor arrange it except after a seated pattern. The book is Ulysess… Joyce’s one. I heard the laughing little man preparing to snap me and changed from the left elbow to the right. The portrait  is unrecognizable, I think but rather fun. The park paling effect behind my head is a rack of rifles. Under my book is a box of clothes. Over the top of the bed the edge of a mosquito net. Under the bed are boots! I hope you laugh.

Lawrence in the barracks at Miranshah Fort (on the Afghan border) in 1928. The photo and accompanying message were sent to Charlotte Shaw, G.B. Shaw’s wife.