Harold, I saw the night before last.
He is in the throes of novels, trans-
lation and collaborations, busy as ever.
I do like him so much. I finally met
your friend Fornet - he was down in
Peitaiho. He is most attractive and
likes you so much.

As you no doubt know, Jimmy is here
with me at present. He seems to be en-
joying life in Peiping though he has
not recovered from the initial attack
of sleepiness.

In the same post I am writing my sister
Mary to phone your house to see if you
are still in Shanghai. Now -I must
dash. Have given your love to Harold.
So far I haven't had the time to commun-
icate with your friend Mr. Wolfe. Really
one gets so busy doing nothing and I am
trying to do something.

Have purchased three magnificent Chinese
stage costumes and am thrilled with them.
Let me hear from you. My sister's address
in Hong Kong will always reach me - c/o
Wong Ling, 27 Mon Chung Fong, Happy Valley,
Hong Kong. I expect to stay here until the
end of August, and then will go to Shang-
hair for two weeks, and pending profession-
al developments, will either go to Europe
or return to the United States- In case
of the latter, I will see you there.
Best love and wishes,

Your
Y. P. Lai

HONG KONG HOTEL
HONG KONG
or C/o Miss Wong Ying,
27, Mon Cheong Fong Road,
Happy Valley,
Hong Kong.

February 24th, 1936,

Dear Mrs. Fritz:

I have just written Carl and Fania and told them all
the wonderful things you have been doing with the
I. A. T. and also how after the many unsuccessful
attempts to get together, we finally managed to meet
at your lovely Tiffin Party for which I heartily thank
you.

I appreciate so much having all your letters and your
suggestions on different subjects to discuss with the
press. I will most probably touch on them upon my
return to Shanghai in the near future when the usual
arrival talk has been worn out.

The day I arrived in Hong Kong I contracted a cold
which has laid me up for the first couple of days, so
I haven't seen much of it, but what little I have seen
is most impressive.

It was so nice to see you again and I trust when we
meet next time, life will be less hectic.

With kindest regards to you and Mr. Fritz.

P.S. I hope my brother James and you managed to
arrive at some agreement and that you will find him
very helpful in the requirements of the I. A. T.

GRAND HOTEL DE PÉKIN

PÉKIN

TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS (PEKINOTEL)
CODES A. B. C. LIEBER & BENTLEY'S

PÉKIN, LE

May 19

193 6

Dearest Bernardine:

This is the first chance I have had to write to any one, and you will be one of the first. Let's start by checking off a few things.

Your friend, Mr. Christian has written, giving me your note, and we are going to have lunch to-morrow. He sounds like a most intriguing person to meet. Dr. P. C. Chang, I understand, is in London at present, so I will save your card to him until I hear he has returned to these parts. So far, I have only managed to produce your card to Lucile Swan, whom I find very nice. We did not have much of an opportunity to get acquainted, but I expect I shall be seeing her again from time to time as we know the same people here.

At last I have had the great pleasure of meeting Miss Vicki Baum. I am so sorry that she is leaving before I get into my tiny little house, as I should like to have her to tea or something.

Immediately upon my arrival, I hied myself on a house hunting expedition. Looked in at Mrs. Chiens first, but she is full up at her boarding house. Then proceeded to see Mrs. Chase's houses, but she is so very expensive. I did spend a few hours in her smallest house, but I felt completely miserable in it. She was very decent and said I could spend the night there, but I thought it better to come to the hotel.

Thomas Handforth started to arrange a luncheon for me, but got as far as Helen Burton, and she most graciously asked Tommy and I to go to her place for lunch. Harold Acton has a magnificent new house, which is going thru the various stages of being cleaned up, painted, etc., but it is simply charming in every way and I do envy him for being in it as much as I wouldn't know what to do with myself in such a large place. As soon as I get myself settled, I will present your other cards of introduction to your various friends.

In my letter to you just before I left Shnaghai I forgot to give you the address of the people who are making your daughter's trousers. They are Tuck Chong, 354 Yates Road.

Excuse me for leaping from crag to crag, but enclosed herewith is a list of the plays running, which my agent sent me from New York. Thought you might like to review the theatre-fare.

I am simply crazy about the Childrens Theater and have practically spent my first few days completely absorbing the Chinese Theater. I was over to a Chinese Dramatic School this morning, where they train the children. Have been to the theater three times and expect to go every day as part of my education. Also met Prof. Iri Clean - Chi.

I think you know the little house I am going to move into. It is in the same compound as Mrs. Chien's large house. I find Mrs. Chien a very agreeable person.

GRAND HOTEL DE PÉKIN
PÉKIN

PÉKIN, LE

May 19

1936

(2.

A friend of mine, Mr. William Wallace, who is attorney for the Grace Line and his father are just dashing thru China. They are both extremely interesting people and are very keen in seeing as much of China as possible in a short time. Please do not think they are the usual "touristy" type. Mr. Wallace unfortunately only has two months holiday from his job and I think he is pretty good to make such a large trip in so short a time. If you have a minute when you find yourself with nothing to do (I would be surprised) would you kindly ring them up at the Cathay Hotel and suggest a few of the interesting sights for them to see in Shanghai. I am sure they will greatly appreciate any suggestions you have to offer, and I am sure you will like each other as they are "regular" people.

I am living in hopes that you might come up to Peiping during my visit up here. I haven't recovered from the first overwhelming thrill as yet, and can hardly wait until I get started browsing around. Will write you again from time to time and let you know what is going on up here.

With all remembrances to Chester and much love to you,

P. S. Have just engaged my Mandarin teacher by the name of Mr. Chou. He is also Harold Acton's teacher.

PARK-WILSHIRE
HOTEL APARTMENTS

2424 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
Wilshire and Carondelet at Westlake Park

LOS ANGELES

January 15, 1937

Dear Bernardine,

Sorry you are all panting,
but I am afraid that I shan't get to New
York much earlier than the beginning of
April. Thanks for the invitiation to your
daughter's birthday party, and I regret
very much that the United States continent
will keep us apart at that time.

Received Fanias' letter
addressed to Hollywood, and have written
Carl. Spoke to Diane Fitzherbert on the
telephone when I spent the day in San Fran-
cisco en route to Los Angeles from Honolulu.
No doubt you have seen Aya and she has told
you all the mental agony she went through
being marooned there, etc. J.P. McEvoy
married a very nice blond lady by the
name of Margaret Santry, who does a lot of
writing for radio broadcasting. Chester
was looking very well when I last saw him,
and gave me a delightful luncheon, or tifin
at your apartment and invited all of our
favorite people, including Helene, Yaching,
Hilda, etc. etc.

Everybody was most hospitable
when I departed from China, and gave me lovely
farewell parties. All the rest of the news
will have to wait until we meet; I can't
write such a long letter.

Sent you my Christmas map to
Shanghai, as I thought you wouldn't want to be
cluttered up with it on your trip. So happy