May I.

Dear Fido,

Sorry I did not get off an air-letter sooner, but
there was no news this end, just having written. I have just
done up the chow-vol., and am taking it now with this,
to post.
The Bear was very good, I have got into a pretty
stiff layer of early rape-fear plus... all the plus-es.
It is cold for may-day, had a lovely branch
of blossom with no name, called up the shop, Tamia,
asked who sent it, they said, "O, we thought it was
Mrs. Aldington, its a lady who sent before... she just said
sent to the usual address. We are sorry, we thought it was
Mrs. A." I said I did not like to get flowers with no card,
great intrigue ... does C.B. fancy herself me, or R.A.'s
wide... I think its a pretty funny, a lovely branch
for may-day, but you know. I don't like it. Its a most
odd fixation. I was glad I called up the shop, but I
do NOT like Cornelia doing these "turns" on me.
I wonder if la Hart got off. Give her my best love, will
you ?

I read and write and rest and now have taken to scrubbing down
my own glass-handles, a good sign... or bed ? Anyhow, is all
making a nice shape, and I am much more settled in the UNK.

May 2.

Dear Fido,

Thank you so much for calling up. The place does sound too, too beautiful. There was no special may-day trouble here. I heard talk on air, about recruits, they want men in territories, for the air-degence. They said they were concentrating almost entirely on air, and that somehow made me feel better. I don't know why. There is a sort of heroic glamour about the air... its the droves of men pitch-forked to slaughter in the trenches that is too, too terrible, anyhow, the voice was helpful to me, at any rate, and I listened in. It is supposed to "impress " countries abroad, and I suppose you will be cynical... but let me have my little sugar-coated pill. The VEE will thank we are entirely perfide ...

It is cold, white. I prefer to the heat, at the moment, the sun makes things drab and hurts the eyes... though I am grateful, too, for it.

I enclose from heap. Will you answer, and forge a signature, just H.D. will do ... copy rather bold stroke, or get VEE to. Its too much bother to send paper out etc. And really I must keep away from the "tribe", especially now. I will write Petrie.

Can you get the dress-maker to cut me one or two of those satin garter belts, just the top, make buttons not too stiff. I keep looking for one here, but never find and

always come back to that 1929 Berlin model. Only the TOP, garter I get elastic/ straps here... she understands. There is no hurry. Later, maybe, you could send one in an envelope, and hold over the other.

The branch was from Silvia, fortunately. C.B. called me up without half-apology for the other... she loves to scrap, pathological, them squire in regrets on the mat... material

I am off to the BEAR. Its a war-starvation....
perhaps air-war does not mean starvation... I don't know...
anyhow, it is a long and slimy process, this of un-UNKing
the UNK or de-bunking the junk.

Got off the chow vol. to Wien. Thank you again.

We'll try to go chez Aud., possibly to-morrow... anyhow, will write.

Best love and how I envy you... but will hang on a bit, as I am deep in pages.

Ever and ever with thanks, ye olde,

May 5. Tuesday.

Dear Fido,

I enclose from Harrods, I thought it was mine, sorry. Also,

thank you for note to N.Y. Times, I have seen to it, and the
carbon of Jane Heap is excellat and should settle that .

I have two letters this morning, am much amused,
re VEE, yes, she is quite a problem, and really very funny and
fun, too, provided one is not T 0 0 cut-off and has the clue
to the chinese puzzle. Her reactions are ... what only her
reactions could be ... but certainly she is the exact
acid-drop for Kenwin, in certain of its moods, and when and if
its moods well out and bloom, " holiday tables under the
trees" , then the VEE is vanquished, so am I, think is
excellent. Tell her, the narcissus is lovely and opening and
is an hourly treat to me.

Pup called up, seems to be oke, is due in
to-morrow. She sulked as I have a chatto, D.V. this afternoon,
and would have put off the said C., if I had known Pup was
here but had only just heard. However, she said mama was oke-doke,
and all oke otherwsie, and she will be i, with back-chat.
She spoke lovingly of the unctuous Uhlan.

Cold and dark, but I don't mind, it gives me less
wanderlust.

Desk sounds most thrilling, you will be living IN it, plus
 cheese and a bone and some flit, I expect, next.

Tell Rvr. to write me.

I will send all news of Aud.,
and am only sorry this is so dull, but it is like that, here.

I went right off the deep-end and bought
over three pounds of glass at Goods, with some of the money you
gave me, I love it, a big bowl, a flat fruit-dish, very
quatro-cento, in the N.D. sense, more spoons,
a glass salad set, spoon and fork. I am planning some
blue silk lounge, house pyjamas to go with the
Chinese coat you gave me, via D. Pilley. It is a
lovely thing and I am just catching up to it. I will
write you, and in the meantime, I feel better with
cupboards all done and paint near-done.

Please, I have jam to last for a year. But I
went to Fortnums, love it, got some special coffee, to
try and three bottles of demi vin-ordinare sort of
thing. Silvia and I can go on a bust. I don't think it
worthy of more sophisticated guests, but will try it.

Love and thank you, again,

May 6. Wed.

Dear Fido,

Pup due in, and Silvia for supper, will write to-morrow Audley
news.

Had nice, rather formal visit with a chatto, who has asked me
in to lunch with the firm to-morrow or Friday, rather. I do
not relish it and do not want to go. He more or less offered
to look aftetthe "novel", later, for me. I suppose I might
as well keep in. They are so very correct with a "catch"and I
don't know what the catch is. I believe a sister of one of
them or a wife is to be there... I suppose I am "passing"
for a lady. I wish you were here to tell me. I am not at
all happy about this, andfeel sick,and don't want to go. But
I will tell the Uhlan...

I wonder if you would send me half a dozen- no more-
small sheets of Kenwin paper, so I can post letters or notes
back to you occassionally. I can NOT see George, at the
moment. I wonder if I could later stunt going to Kenwin. I
don't know WHY, he terribly upsets me, it always comes back
to small-talk about everyone, and Cuth... Uh., as I told you,
said I feared gossip from that quarter.

It is rather cold and damp this morning ... the narcissuses
are still lovely... I walk in Regents Prak, very odd with
a swan in a nest under a pink blossom tree, quite
demented and dimensional.

Please look after the tail
and whiskers and don't get shut up in that desk by
mistake.

Again forgive this little note. The bear is very good
indeed and gets up a lot about food and cleaning the house,
having to do with the war having not made it worth while to
eat or in any way, make an effort.

Weaning

of course, but applied direct to Cuth and the general
slump in tinned beans etc. Anyhow, I am no
longer sick of a morning, but all the same find food
hard to chew, but what will come back now, I think.
I had ASh cook a little hen and Silvia and I will
enjoy it this evening....

Much love and keep the whiskers out
of that desk ... and give the rocks my love, ever ye olde

May 8. Friday.

Dear Fido,

I enclose from Rvr. (?) Cold now, am off to
Uh. and on to Chatto to lunch, goddam. Don't know
if it is party or just one or two or just one, feel rather
sick. Most respectable "man" houvering in the mid-distance,
very commeilfaut. Wish it were L. and L.
May dash in there en route.

I had good long talk with Pup that day, she is most keen
on her "audit ion" and we got on very well, much better since
she met Uh., evidently she thought, in the UNK, that I was keeping
her from a dear daddy, of sorts. Anyhow, e had a most mout time, s
said mama E. was well, and all well there, and mama A. has asked
most affectionately about her, the Pups, mama, said the Pups mama
looked pale and sould have a holiday, so I suppose all is well
there and I will pop in this week-end.

I had a crise yesterday as the sun has been so bright in my
room and I went in to Harvey, to ask about sun-bliod, before
writing. I got caught up there with my new account letter
burning a hole in my pocket, so I bought new shoes, and a new
hat, - by the time, I got through those and the sun-blind
discussion it was lunch, then Uh., - that is why I did not write.
It is funny for me to have a full day shopping and enoying it, u
Uh. saus it is a " goot sign."

Silvia was most entertaining about her sister. The sister pays 3 shillings a week, it seems to me not enough, I thought So. meant three an hour. The man asked five and the sister said she could not pay it, perhaps it is all right, but it does seem she might have paid more. However, Mollie Dob. told S. there was "nothing to talk about" but Silvia was much amused as Mollie took half an hour trying on different hats, before she went and when S. asked if her man was anything like Mr.S., Mollie shouted, "Oh no, he is MUCH younger," so we imagine there is already a good beginning. I will write how it goes, Mollie goes to the clinic, not as you know, from Sch.

I finished Aspidistra, what a book. I do love his work, so entirely emetic or rather septic - what do I mean- I mean, he does de-bunk things, in just the right way.

We drank papas health in some of the half-bottle wine I ordered at Fortnum, I wrote him, I told you.

Well, thank you for long letter and all details of life out there. Best wishes to all and sundry.

I looked over all my cards, for one for Vee and felt her sneering, have found a Blake etching that looks like a Swiss chalet, feel it is the only possible solution. I post with this, but it will be later, as I air this.

Well, thanks again and gruss and look after the tale, tail ...

Sat.

May 9.

Dear Fido,

Thank you for encloses, re papa. All most interesting.

I find as I progress chez Bear, that a old papa
findings come true. But one had to catch up to them. One can
SEE a thing and believe it and not BE it, and the Bear is
so good at re-threading and re-stitching, never misses a
stitch. I feel well knitted, or am being well re-knitted, but
of course, there has been a lot to "live through." I
appreciate all you have done and gratefully for nosing out
the said p.b.

I went Chatto, they were very nice, the married one,
a sort of Jackie J. who refused to go "into the business"
and went in to books. Really very solid and nice and
appreciative of dirt on V. Hunt and that sort of literary
back-chat of my early purple-past. ( Cuth is never
remotely mentioned. ) The other one is a sort
of respectable Rvr., without genius, but with great Highland
charm and wants to be the "novel." This is all to the good but
rather wrings my whiffers in the UNK, but a is well, and I must
thank you for interest and remarks, most stinging, about
Madame
Mrs. H.D. being a "lady." However, its as well to
present an appearance, as such, ...

I had the narcissus, so lovely and thank you so very much, dear
Fido, most, most lovely... and I will nose out what the Bear
had done with his. It is a great treat to have them
does recall so much that is eternal and exquisite.

I will be amused to hear
of the Hart. Enjoyed nice note from Chester
and destroy it, don't know that man, the ps-a one; is he the one
that Havelock Ellis knew and asked me to meet in Wien ? I
wonder. An American ? I don't think papa was much
impressed with him. That may be the one. However, I don't know.

Did not get
in to Bud, as was a bit late ... and anyhow, did not know if he
would be in. But will see him. The older, or married chatto,
thinks Petrie is running the paper ... I did not go
into details. I mean, as if P. was a sort of heavy
society financier. No mention of Bud. I did not thank you
wanted me to drag you in... so was disquiet. The Rvr. one
likes L. and L., Parsons a bit inclined to be sniffy.

Much love
and thanks again for the Wald, an excellent book, very
good... I do not want to read his River as his style sort
of percolates into one's own pages... but I do, do like and
admire him so.

Love to all and sundry from ye olde,

May II. Monday.

Dear Fido,

I am posting you two sets of papers from Rvr. I have his
note, from you. Funny, he not only does not write me, but
does not even mention me in letters. I suppose he thinks I am
a menace, as against the U.S.A. vibration, but that is
quite wrong. I have to stabilize myself with the old war-much,
in my writing, but my whole novel is planned, in a wild crescendo
sort of Angel River style, to get me BACK to the States.

However, I don't suppose I can say that... and if Rvr. gets me
linked up with nagging people, saying why don't you write, I will
simply be Eileen-mama-Mac to him. However, if you can,
without making him feel I nag, say I am really a tiny bit
sad at never having so much as a paw wave...

I have been going on with Wolf and there really IS
nothing here to match up with the States thing... only, what
Rvr. will not see is that we have had to fight so hard, we have
to get away from Sattes and all that WE had to fight ...
then get back in some psychic way, and are after all, the
half-way-house, or sort of light-house and that we
in a sense, have got him there. I must not grouse ... and don't
let him know I have seemed to appear to be about to grouse...

I destroyed Silvia letter. How
she has got on, really well...

... due in at three.

Pup due in at three.

I follow the spring by way of tulip beds in Regents park,
it is really very nice over there. Owans, island, little
boats and so on. I usually get up about 7 now, and have
a 2nd breakfast before the Bear at II.

Best to Vee. I am glad the
Hart fits in. She needs a spot of ps-a, but then they all
do. Where begin?

Much love and I will write full account of
Pups account of Audley. All does seem to be going very
well, there.

"est ever and thanks always, and for books and
the fruit that comes with flowers ... ever and ever ye olde,

May 12. Tuesday.

Dear Fido,

A line now, this afternoon, instead of in the morning. I sent
a p.c. this morning, since have had your note, re Hart. How
very interesting and exciting. I will send her a line
and ask her in, Sat. or Sun. for sherry. I do like her,
but it is so difficult to associate people with ones own
exact dissociations- especially as I got where I got
by hiking to Eu-rope with the Gregg, the Cuth, E.P. in
between, general whirl just to keep from being the
stalactite, that they all think I should remain. However,
I will be so happy if she DOES go to Sch. She damn well
needs something of the sort.
What a funny
time you must have given her- and I do wonder what she will
have to say to me. I think the Brok is a damn menace if you
ask me, takes over the Hart, "protects" her, will be sure
to try to put a spoke in any sort of wheel we get started
to get the Hart out of the rut.

I have inquired about sun-shade for my window, it
comes pretty high, seven pounda and a little over,
but I think I will go in now and order it, as the room
is so beautiful but since change of hour, light
hangs on, and just the hour people come, the room
is either flooded with glare or has to be darkened too
much. It will make a very summer room of it. I hope you do
not think it too extravagant.

I got Bud some semi-weave yet discreet ties, by my
of a friend of Silvia who designs them or does them - Corda
wears them, they are high-brow film-art, not too much. Anyhow,
it was a last minute thought, just got them off. Silvia
spoke much of ps-a, is working hard and keen on Molli's
work. She said she went to a party and felt as if in chain
mail, with your blue dress. I hope it will put her mind
into that idea of dressing- I think prob. it will.

Your letter was indeed most thrilling and I AM so
pleased and so is S., at the prospect. It does seem with us, to
be, as Alex said, a sort of "dope circle" chez Regent Park,
and the more the better. Wonder what Sch.
will make for the chaste Hart.

Love Time and the River - and much loved the stories of
Spender and Silvia has them now and likes them, too. One very
Butts of the country house- and the first one of the dancer,
very vivid and dynamic and well done, altogether.

This in haste to explain not writing. I got vaugt up
on a war-scene and am spitting it out of my gullet. Do not
want to stop in the middle- or in the muddle...

Love to all and sundry and

thank you so much for all news.

Pup has her audition to-morrow, Mr.D.
is to meet her there, Saint Martins lane all good as it is near
L. and L. , a lso Chatto- our sort of psychic beat now...

Blessings dear Fido, from ye

May 13. Wed.

Have just had a frightful time with a piano-tuner who
arrived and stayed two hours. He practically picked the box
to pieces. As he was about to leave, I asked him if he smoked,
had a chapter right out of aspidistra ... gave him about
50 Players, that I fortunately had on hand. Keeps
a parent or parents, has no time to eat, smokes when he can
so as not to "feel too hungry", loves Chopin, did I know
the harpist, whome he admires so much who lives just across the
square ???? Really, it was most upset ... and of course all
you lefts are right... WHAT is the use of doing anything and
has one a right to loaf and invite ones creative soul, in the
face of the poetic aspidistras of this town ? Well, then on
top of that I walked Harveys to see if the stuff went
with the room... so I have felt very prolataire from the
wrong angle. I dread seeing La Hart, for all this
is true... and then they squeal that H.D. is no longer the
pure crystal line.... I suppose there is nothing for it but
a shell of water-tight and foolproof M. Moore variety, or T.S.
E. wobbling mass-ward or P.R. doing the same... or
else fighting it out... but how and why and in what
mannere. One only tries to believe in the mythical ethical
"sayings", as much as ye have done it... and the poor
appidistra went off all but kissing my hand... O delerium... and
I feel so sick.

I told him he must "keep up his music."

Alas!

Dear tells me he is seeing Hart at eight, I believe to-morrow.

I spoke of it, as I said you had asked me, as Hart was
an acquaintance of mine. I will see Hart this week-end, have
written her.

Your letter about accidents on the curb is most upsetting. Do
take care of yourself, crossing, but you don't cross, I
hope, much... I used to go daily to the pond, full of
work-men and most alarming at that. Do be careful. And
Jules... what a chapter of calamities.

I will hope, D.V. to see you on Fri., I enclose, please
destroy. Evidently, he got the one of the "funnies" as I
called the Chelsea ties...

Any MSS will be parked here, but I don't need it, as am working
on this re-work... it can wait and may be some of it, will get
destroyed out there... will save trouble.

I took a lovely dream-walk in mist of Regent, marvelous
tulip bed, all with small discreet but clear labels,
Greuze, Massechussets, Zulu, Oranges- and lemons,
U.S.A. and so on, and so on. Really a remarkable
display.

Much love. I find it better to write after dark, in
case of any stop-press.

Ever ye old,

Fri. May 15.

Dear Fido,

Thank you for second lot of Mss, I have opened and thank
you for cards, and all the trouble. Don't worry
too much about it, I will simply prob. bring a trunk back or
several cases, from summer, D.V.

I spoke of Hart to Sch., he seems interested, especially
in her R.C. and C. of E. tangle. I will be seeing
Hart, as I said, to-morrow, and will discreetly pump or try
to pump, the Bear this morning and will report.

I am off to Rules and Pup after lunch. I have your
wax-to-the-tail. Thank you. I know about Rvr., and it is
silly of me... but States rings all sorts of bells, and it
seems that I am one of these painfully balanced people, who
bring states to Europe and Europe to States and am divided
in self... so when you and Rvr. go on and go on about it, and
I read Wolf and so on, I feel I O U G H T to make a
comrade gesture and go back and be "lost" in the wallow and
welter of the morass andlecute to Jews at Columbia or
genrally and finally "loose my soul to save it." I am afraid I
do not take it lightly and could not, so if urged too much, might
go over and stay over, get "lost"... this Chatto upset me too,
the younger one or rather the younger in the firm, as he kept
rather implying that he does not see how IF I can go states,

I stay here etc. Funny how it is taking people...
and he did it from INSIDE and you and Kex and the general

feelung and your revillung at me and Kex screaming
that there alone is art ART AHRT AHHHHRTm, and all his
scream in L. and L. make me feel unsettled. Only if I DID
go back, I would prob. take it far more dangerously than any
of you, know in gilt, would be prone to "sacrifice" myself
etc. Well... sorry, but only to tell you why I feel sometimes
it is difficult to discuss states calmly... and I DO
understand... and feel for you and Kex and surely have done
all I could to get you off, to let you get off etc.

Well, maybe this is
too many pages of Cuth in my pages and the old scene and the
Chatto with his " how can you stay here, if you CAN go
there" and the general simmering of the P.B.

Don't worry, however, I
will do nothing rash, porb, in a few years, cross with you
and eat cystes and cross back... embracing the cobble-stones
of Eu-rope.... thankfully....

No special news. I will tell Pup
to send you apaw-mark. The bear is very good. Yes, I am
thankful for my "lump" as you put it, or "lumps"...

Ever
gratefully for you great polar-bear discoveies.

ye olde,

Best wishes to VEE from an
early settler to an easy the same,
re Montana....

Sat. May 16.

Fido dea,

The Uh. got the Hart on the couch and she is going back.
He was very good to me, as I told him she had come via me, via
you. Gave no actual personal dirt, only volunteered the
face that the Hart under her very delicate, sort of
doe-like tremblings, was exceeding stubborn, and that he had
roped her in pro. tem. but that he could not guarantee her
sticking it out. However, may he, he just doesn't want to
disappoint our hopes, and I do give "mouse" to Fido. What
a joke. I will be anxious for all reactions to-morrow
here, from la H.

This is terrific.

—Had a wild lunch with Bud

who had been to a review of Edd.Rex guards at my
place, just across the street, barracks, got in with a
freind on a ticket, and the guards saluted them, and
Bud went only mad with joy and Hutch was therem whom he cut,
and it was all most, most jazz with Edd/set on a tame horse,
and another hoſe running away and Edd saluting as Bud says
" with a wink", as if to say" here we are now, but
you juts wait till we meet in the Swan to-night. " Bud was
talking all the time, fifty to the dozen, and O, O, the Uhlan
and how he liked the ties I sent him whihc, by the way,
are designed by a woman who does private work of A. Corda, that
semmed to get Bud. The Rules was great fun with people
in knots and groups a, all very early London-Berlin-paris of the
best, and I did have a good time.

The Pup had a terrific time with a boy who read Shakers opposite her, and she reited the Ancient Mariner to an empty theatre peppered with a few faces, and then had an interview with an old gent who asked her what languages she knew then burst into frog at her- Pup should get points on that. The boy-fried said, "don't be frightened, there's only John Guilgood in the gallery, " and Pup was blushing and hoping, O, I do hope she gets in. There were only men, and I judge they sized her up, certainly the old frog must have been impressed with her forg, a boy wantaking notes all the time shetalked, " he," Pup szid, "talked good English french," but we know what Pups croakings are like... O, I do hope she makes it. She is calling me up later, they said they would yet her know to-day, and she said she had not written you as she was afrid superst. to mention it till it was over... but it writing, as soon as she knws. We had a terrific time on top of Bud.

Well, more later,
things march, the shade people keep poPPping in, it had
to be the same as others in house, they abound that out...
how a was one to know ?

Love, and thank you for cuts of frightening spae
and new worlds, and much love, will write at leath after Hart,
ever, ye olde,

I told Pup about the Harrod slip and coffee, let me know exactly what you want done with that five pounds.... coffee! = 1936J

Monday, May 18.

Dear Rido,

I wrote this morning but this is to say, what Pup has already "aired" you that they have taken her on at the London Theatre Studio. She called up and has been ordered to come in for a dance-tunic, so all seems in order.

I was very happy to see Pup and must at once, congratulate you, on her whole deportment and development. She talked, I told you, French to the old director, Michael St. Denis, and I wonder too, of that didn't get over a lot, he asked her what sort of people she mixed with and she said, "mostly writers." Anyhow, it is so entirely and utterly unlike British in its attitude to AHRT, that I am doubly delighted. There is a French dram class, and Pup is sure to make big headway in that and it may plunge her into that sort of semi-foreign part, which suits Pups looks and evidently the old frog and even John Guilgood, got the "quality", the thing the Fogarty sneerd at. I am very, very happy and it makes me free and more on the map myself, with a Pup training for stage, as she is doing, in a art and not society way. She was very shy but obviously very, very happy. And I repeat, that I, in her name and in my own, thank you utterly and acclaim you for all you have done for her. Her character is good and clean too, as after all, she might

have gone to bits after that damn Fogarty. I can not tell
you how happy I am. We had tea and I made her go
over every scrap again, and all they said and how she
learned Miranda in the park the day before and what her
boy-friend Prospero, was like. Evidently they do things
in the right way, she was met by the Prospero, who took
her coat, and I told you said, "don't worry, there's only
John Guilgood in the gallery." Then the old frog who
burst at her and Pup got across so big with de Warfaz,
that I am sure that helped, maybe was the decisive turn, and she
must have had on the right clothes, and I told you choose
the ancient mariner ... dear old Pups.

Well, this will do for to-morrow as I will be out very
late, and am happy as it is indeed now, a celebration of
L. and L., of the new D.A.Hill, of old Pups making a grand
get-away with Saint Denis and soon. I am taking Pup to the
Sea Gull as soon as I can, as G. is in it, and she sort of
feels now right in with them, and is so happy and
modest, too. I am really enchanted and again and again
thank you.

I was going to call you up, but Pup thought it could be no
good this time of day.

Blessings and a thousand, thousand thanks from Pup and
her fond mamma, ye olde

May 19. Tues.

Dear Fido,

I had a grand time last night, Bud terrifically impressed with
Pups and we are taking Pups out one night, as soon as I find
out what her "hours" are. The ballet was as per usual, very
funny people. Bud talked the whole time on Edd . rey, and
wanted all the dirt I had on Mrs. Simpson (?), you know
who I mean, and wants me and Pups to go out with him and
the gent who took him to the barracks, and was altogether most
friendly. We had a lovely cold supper with wine, and
Bud got me home soon after eleven. His mother sat us the car
to go there, and I had a new pair of silver sandals and silver
stockings and a new short black cock-tail coat and
felt very smart and I think Bud was pleased with the effect.
He was keen to know all about K., I told him what I knew.
Don't know much. We spoke of you and the p.b., of course.

P. B. has been
most kind about Hart, thinks it better if she stops at
once, rather than breaking off after a few montsh, and
he seems to feel there would be danger of that. He thinks she had
been "influenced," he told me, from the tone of the letter
she wrote him. I think maybe Brook or someone else dished
it. It will continue to do what I can. P.B. seems to think, as
she screamed so that she could not "submit herself," that she
might do better with a woman. He says he will ask her for
an "interview" and not call it ps-a, and it may yet

fetch her. He is indeed most kind and interested and hoped
I was not upset that he had not enough "influence" with
Hart. I told him of course not, it was all a hope,
merely. In the meantime, I think he is getting Una an
interview with a violinist who has been analysed, I trust
the p.b., and I think he may help Una, he even said he would
"interview" her so I think what with Mollie Dob. in, we are
not really doing badly, and they nibble, you know, and later
come back begging. Anyhow, Brookfield thinks she may
be able to get Una a librarian post, but is not sure and Una
and Rachael are talking in sewing at a shilling an hour. I will
see Una on Fri., might as well just go what one can.

I am still trembling
with excitement over Pups. It is so terrific and I am
so happy. The p.b. seemed pleased, too. Everyone is; a sort
of festa, — terrific. I am so proud of her and of you.

I walked in gardens and am happy
there with those tulips, and am working every morning on
pages. Thank you for all papers and MSS, but do not
worry, as I will simply stack them all this summer, D.V.,
and bring over.

Much love and do not get lonely. Pup said Lady
E. is quite oke, and does not complain to her about you,
only grumbles at times a little about K.

Devotion and mews, from

ye olde

May 20. Wed.

Dear Fido,

I wrote last night. This is to thank for MSS and to say that I think, on the whole, maybe better, if I simply pack a trunk MYSELF, as there are so many things I want to go over and sort out, the old dolls, for instance and things like that. And also, there is a heap of triple copy MSS that no one can judge of but self, and so on. Thank you all, the same, but it seems better if I did that. Surely, there is no imminent haste, and if there is, just dump everything in. But it seems, but thank you, that I can do that, self and will give me a definition and I can then sort books etc., too.

I want to stay on here now over the Pups "term" or part of it, if possible. I am right in the swim with ps-a, and though it is hot, I feel that I will do more FOR myself, if I stick here. I feel dreadfully about you being alone, but presently, I do NOT know what to say or think. I don't think myself there is imminent" evil", there. I think VEE is an hysterical "case-history" of the first water, and enough to drive anyone baty. What she did to me when Astrid died, for instance, and they built fires on the French side, was too awful... I think we might all have a good time, there, but VEE alone, I think really too gnomish for words... and I DO NOT think there is actual evil there, on the contrary....

Is Rvr. coming to Vaud ???
I am terribly sorry about the
"atmospherics" but don't think there is actual
evil... only if you think so, of course, you make a sort
of cycle of attraction for it all... the VEE would anyhow,
I feel. I mean, her war-phobia is positively
gargantuan... and those things get others... but I am
writing in haste, and so, so sorry you feel it there. Pup
is due in after lunch for an hour... Brook was
tiresome, but I imagine has got Una a job. I think there was
distinct dirty work at the cross-words, re Hart. I am
glad Eileen is off to Austria. I am sorry I have not been
in to Aud., every day almost there has been someone here, and as
it is part ps-a, it makes it difficult... and Pup likes to
come HERE to take only time I see her. However, I have
written and Pupa again says all is calm, there.

Well, much love. Pup says
she feels very" hectic." I can not tell you how impressed
Bud was.

Am now off to the tulips and thp. b. Yes, he is really
good, suggested, I told you, Hart might be better with a
woman.

Much love and greet the Vee, ever devotedly,

Fri.

May 22.

Dear Fido,

Thank you for letter and MSS, but I don't think you better send
any more, for I MUST anyhow, make a good clear sweep of dolls,
boxes, cases, books and so on, and I might as well do that there.
But thank you. I have now to date, these four.

I shall speak to the p.b., about coffee, and shall be glad to
take it over myself, it is rather fun, Pup is very busy anyhow,
nine to six, gets back late, and I guess will be pretty
tired, she was very happy, she said, there were about ten new
ones, I imagine they weed them pretty carefully, mixed
boys and girls of about her age, she seemed to like it, and
didn't know whose these brats were; they all wear the same
costume, and I don't suppose they are easy to "place", pgrb.
some children of actors, I don't know, but it is terrible fun
and Pup will come in after "school" to-day to give full
particulars of her second day. I am more happy than I can say.

I have got
tickets for the Sea-Gull on Thurs., with Pup and Bud again. Bud $
regular god-father to Pup now, is so good and terribly keen on
her work and says he now feels he has "wasted his life". It is
rather sweet, but as I tell Bud, old Pups had the benefit of
us all.

Sat. May 23.

Dear Fido,

Enclosed from George. It speaks for itself.

I told p.b. about the coffee, he grunted as if with
joy but as it was "hour" itslef, just thanked me,
said you were kind that Lady E. and he had discussed the
coffee problem, and so on. I will take can by can,
five... is that oke ? I don't mind a bit, I told him that Pup
was busy.

Pup came in yesterday, half torn with joy at being
tested for voice and what-not, and half so exhausted, she
could hardly stand. They work them solidly from 9 to 6,
with an hour for lunch and apples for five minutes, for
tea. They act on the stage, off-stage, back-stage, in
the foyer, in the stalls and IN THE BAR. There is
a chinese girl, the boys are "very young and serious" but I
believe there are as many, if not more, boys than girls. Una was
in yesterday, she says they take no one there, that they don't
think will definitely "shape" for a career of sors. She semed
most impressed and really pleased with Pups, " but we know
ALL about that place," she said. She has been trying for a job
in that or Sadlers Wells orchestra for years. Well, I don't
know what to say. Pup was so tired, and semed slightly
wondering if she could stay the course, says she will say
this trila term, but seems to think writing plays may
ultimately be her line. At the same time, was so smug and

pleased, she said. She is "that word about it," meaning I got, ambivalent. Well anyhow... its a great leap to be having classes in the Old Vic bar... something, in my wildest dreams of "escape", I had never remotely visualized...

I am going to Aud. for tea, D.V., and will write you. I judge one is to be discreet, re Pup, before the staff.

I will definitely find out about the mags.

I note Johanna D., and will try to fit in, but am awfully shy about it, as I have not seen Lotte, and simply can't NOT beging explaining... but certainly I will try to write and thank her, they were so kind about the school, and it was good of them. However, may I leave it? But I will certainly try....

I don't know about Silvia, it will be so ironical AGAIN to be there in an empty house, and Silvia might make it worse, but thank you, it is very thoughtful of you, and certainly ask her if you feel you want or should I am rather, at the moment, incline toward UNA who unfroze yesterday ovre a glass of sherry and is really very gifted. She never unfroze before. I am definitely getting her to "interview" the p.b., if this job does not come off, it will be as if for the p.b. violinist confrere, but it may do some good. Anyhow, I will keep plans alightly, even so slightly fluid, if you don't mind.

Much love. Now it is cold again and raining.

Best to all and sundry, very funny and mad about Timmie and his fat-dame. Ever ye olde,

Sunday, May 24.

Dear Fido,

I am writing to-day to ask Johanna in to sherry, as I am so pleased with the Pup an' want to thank them, thank you for suggesting it.

I went to Aud. yesterday, there was a Todd tere and could not talk, till your mother sent her off to get her hat for the car, when we burst into song about Bunch. Your mother is even more pleased than I, evidently Bunch has fulfilled both her and my inner conviction and ambition to be a member of a corps de ballet. We sobbed and said the dear child was worked too hard but of course her "career" now demanded it, and she, Lady A. would give her a tonic, and I would be here to chaperone her, if need be, and there was no need of a Mouse or anyone and I would be very angry if I could not do my bit etc. Your mother and I simply wallow in all details, a "god", Amor, I think from Ivor Novello's last play is the tap-master and one of the people in the Gull is another of their teachers, and Pup was off to see Guilgood in a film and Saint Denis who was a coachman, but not on the programme. "How did you know," I asked Pup. "O, it gets about," she said in a professional manner.

Penelope Dudley Ward was turned down by the Old Vic, they would not even give her an audition. I believe it is even an honour to get an audition.

Well, well... the Pup as much

pleased because they had tap-dancing ON the stage, the
whole lot, the new ones and the old ones, and "some of the
girls had never even had on a tap-shoe," she said. As she
had tapped, she was very pleased, also, was not such hard
work as she was doing something she knew.
Monday they
are getting off a little early. I guess they sweated them the
first day or so, to show them they were "serious workers."
Work, they do. I am getting you, if there are any left, the last
Weekly Ill. M, as there is an article on the school,
entitled Art is Work or something, anyhow shows them in their
tunic, and one girl in the famous Motley button-on
swishy shirt... O, such fun. And now as Lady Aud,
remarks, "she is launched."

I took in three cans of coffee and will take another. The
only embarrassing thing is that the p.b. asked me how to
MAKE it, I don't know if that was a ps-a stunt or really
wistful Wien, wanting a cup of coffee. But will you write
Doris to send them a line direct or will you- and in the
meantime, I will ask the maid if they have a coffee-machine,
if not, I will order one at Harrods, and say you had asked me to
for I can not very well do it, on my own. They may have one.
But I can not begin to describe my slum -manner of making
caw-fee - and this, I beg you to do. I will say I did not
know how it was done in Keverne, so I had written. I think
that is best.

I am going over the HER, thank you, ad for all else.

I told Pups I would hope to stay till her term ended, as she
liked to run in here for tomato -juice, and I am having the time

of my life. "Identification", the p.b. calls it,
and evidently your mother is also "identified", so we are
all glued together, tighter than you can imagine. We do not
mention the Vic to "outsiders."

Best all round, and I love your faithful letters, and do
hope you are not lonely. Taking the coffee, gave me
a red-rising-hood motif, che, thep.b., so it helped the UNK,
too.

Let me know if there are any other commissions. Pup says she has
NOT those mags., but I will go into it, here.

Love and a million thanks for your
training of the Pups ... ever, ye olde,

Monday, May 25.

Dear Fido,

Thank you for letter. I am sending cable at once. What a joke.
I will save the two days, 2nd and 3rd; it will be, I
fear, difficult to fit him in or rather I mean for him to
fit me in, but I will keep those "clean." I had
the 4th, a date of long-standing, once already
posponed, with a chatto and Bud, a sort of tie-up, but
do not mention to Rover, because it looks mean if one
does not include him, but it is semi-business beca-use of
possible book from Bud later. I had to arrange well
ahead, but I don't suppose that will matter. I don't suppose
Kex will have much time, and I will see him the other days,
all of them, with such joy. I shall certainly be glad to
see old ex.

No. I thought YOU might have asked Silvia to Kenwin, and I do
not want her to be disappointed. I may at the last, decide on
something on my own. I had that awful lonely stretch at
Kenwin. I want to come for a time, therem andpack papers, but
I don't want to get" caught" in an old vibration there,
alone, and a girl like Silvia, rather makes it worse. I
will not actually speka to her of coming to Kwnin. I just
did not know what you had arranged. I may be glad to have
her, but I do NOT want to tie myself till I see how I feel after
all this p-b-izing. I may go S. of France to bathe.

Your mother and I have formed a sort of blood-brotherhood,
re the Pup and her careere, so a lot of mother-complex has
been worked out, that way. She is really so happy
about the Pup, it is wonderful to feel with her and FOR
the old Pup.

No. I couldn't pull up stakes to the extent of Whitsun for
Amsterdam. It does sound good, however, and if I stay
on next winter in London and break the Suisse bond, I think
I will have to get a tiny place somewhere, in the country, but
just now, I have really been pretty tacked down by the p. b.,
Saturdays, you know, as well, does take up time. But I will
surely have to do something, as I have masses of curtains and so
on, from the old flat. Anyhow, this winter has
been rather unusual, what with Pups making her get-away, and the
severe hours, chez the Bear. But later, I shall
certainly do something more dynamic in the way of
travel and so on.

I would make an effort to meet Kex but presume I might
run into all the lost-and-found of two continents, maybe
not... not to mention Eileen mybe, though she is in
Austria) and his parents. But I will try to tie-up and find
out about boat arrival.

What a pest E. is with her job in America.

I have just sent off the cable, special rates, only just over
two shillings extra, I though well worth it, and it should
arrive this morning.

Tues. May 26.

Darling Fiend,

All is oke. Pup camein, for toma-aato-juice. She is
really happy, and I don't think now dissallusioned a bit. She
spoke that one day of the draught; when I asked her of it,
she said, " but I have not time to notice that now."

Evidently, the first day, was a bit of a riot, no
wonder. But she has shaped to it, works hard but some
of the work now is easy for her, the tapping for instance, as
she is far ahead of the others, and they have an hour or
so of voice over the rails of the galleries to the
instructor on the stage, that can't be too much for Pups.

Thye did Pickwick( why?) yesterday... Pup was with
a grin, "curtural back-ground." I guess she slunks at
"voice" and is showing off"ap," - they are all
men, the teachers, and they seem to be very kind-ly-ly
concerned, call her Pup, " now Pup, shoulders up" or
" you have the step, Pupp". I guess she has found her
own mileau, actually, with a vengance. It must be
right, via zodiac, I kept telling her eventually she
would be bound to get near stage, and also, if ones STARS
are right, other things usually work in, too. Look at Lady Aud.,
for instance. I told Pup I would be in any afternoon,
with one or two exceptions," she evidently likes the tie-up
with ahrt, via Lowndes.

The awning people are due after lunch, it will be
bit noisy, but I will be very glad for the shade, as
the light is a bit trying. It will make a lovely room
of it, now, for summer. Cold, thought, to-day.

I did not speak of coffee to theb.,
but asked themaid, he said they were a ready on the prowl for
a coffee-mill, and she asked my advice. I told her what to
ask for, an "old-fashioned mill", otherwise they palm
off something expensive and elabourite. The maid seemed
very intrigued. I takeover the other two tins, in a Greek bag,
to-day, no trouble at all, and evidently did Red-r-h to
the UNK.

I am still having awful
dreams and "states" over Pup at Vic and me with Ion, it is
all the "play's the thing" of course, and is so good,
just now to have Vix and Chatto on the prowl, together.

Funny! I wrote again to Lady Aud., I repeat we are
hand-and-glove as could never have been imagined. You need
not worry now at any time, leaving the 3 of us here,
provided Pup is tapping. It is a terrific bond.

I will not worry about Una or
anyone, Pup is the chief thing.

I went the "store for the first time,
and god(cologne and lav. water ... in a way, as from your
"mama", as she gave me monye I never spent at Xmas.

Well love to all and sundry,

from ye olde

Tues. May 26. Evening.

Dear Br.,

I wrote you this morning, but send an ordinary note,
to-night, to thank you for letter about investments, and to say
that I will, of course, follow instructions. I can't quite "see"
why a "I this should be, but I am digesting it all, and will
write further.

I will prob. not write again to-morrow, this will be as for
to-morrow air, but will go out now and post it,-- just to say,
yes, I DO agree about Pup and writing and not-writing. That is
another reason that I am so very keen on her work at the Vic,
they do have classes later in drama, in writing and scenery, and
stage-production. She remarked, that second day, that they
formed a company and after this summer term, you had to decide,
but that you more or less" signed on" for two years. I think it
was the idea of two years upset her. She said she "wanted to
make money and get in a show before them." However, each day,
she has seemed happier and easier there. I myself was thinking,
I would stay here these years to be here for Pup, if she did
decide to stay on. I would myself ask later an interview with
one of them, Saint Denis, probably, before Pup" signed on."
I would be willing to PAY Pup a pound a week as salary,
butshe does not NEED money. I think it is the idea of being on
her own, that appeals to her. But IF she is THERE with the bunch,
she is looked after. Now, she is much happier and speaks of

" the family" meaning anyone who has been near the Vic, at
any time. They work like slaves, the old p.b.
seemed impressed with her tap-dancing, of course, a purely
prof. thing and difficult. I took him a copy of the paper
I sent you, last night. There is a large
percent, I wrote you, of boys, most of them on the production
side, and stage managing and so on. There are more bosy but
in the actual dance classes they are about equal or more gilrs.
However, it looks eminently "serious" and of course, they DO
keep on eye on the brats. Pup has a dressing-room with a
girl, of course, and all the buttoning and un-bottoning of pants
and skirts is done in the dressing-rooms, they talk together,
but are a small under supervision, so it is like a co-ed school.
Myself, I am greatly pleased at ALL I, so far, have heard.
I think the two years not a bad idea... however, you must think
this out. Of course, they may weed them out again, but I
imagine, from what Pup says, she is not doing badly for herself. Her
voice of course, carries and she has the dancing and she is
not too tall, others taller and of course, she has her
French. And so on... this is just in haste, to say that is
how I feel, in all ways, intuitively and seously. I did not
see Pup to-day but will call her up... and also, your mother
is so pleased, and she had a hunch, said again it was seriously very
serious, and so on.

This in haste, to make up for to-morrow, when I hope to
do some ION, before p. b. I have Sat off and the following
Mon. If GpP, had a telephone, I would call him up,
difficult to get about Whitsun, will be what Pp is planning and
maybe will spend a day, but don't mention it, chez G. But he is may

Wed. May 25.

Dear Fido,

I am writing you after all, as I just had this :

" Sailing Normandie to-night see you soon send Fido
news and love Rover."

I have told Mrs. Ash. to see that the place is all right, I don't,
in the leatsknow, if I am to do this, but presume he is staying
there.

I will save the time for him, will try to shift Bud next
Thurs., and can arrange Pup at any time.

I called up last night, Pup w/s/in a stew as they had had a Chinese
lecture and were made to do extra time and she did not get
off, he said till 7.30. She may have been exaggerating. But she
is due in here to-night for dinner and I will put cream on
her tail. I wrote you last night, keen about the place, but
are they working the PU, too hard ????uber? I think it a good
ting as now she mixes with men and boys and she has always yelles
at me that she had no "baby brother" and no father, in the
implication- and chiefly bo boy-friends. Can you let me
know how you feel, as I do feel the responsibility in some
funny sick-making way.
I am fcourse, working at
it, with p.b., but you after all, are "reality" and I have
take it very hard. The Pup gets on all right, but is of course,
none too pleased with the long very hard"hours." Let me know.

Thursday evening. May 27.

Dear Fido,

I am posting to-night your note to Rvr. I have added a
page with enclosed from Mrs. Ash that she left here, saying
that Eileen was there and had given her directions etc. I was
rather shocked, Mrs. Ash said, "Mrs. M. is here, waiting for
her brother." So I leave it at that, will not go to the
station, that is out of the question, am saving most of the
time, with the one exception of Thurs. dinner, have told Rvr. to
call me up, no matter how late it is, and will see him
all I can and let you have news of impression.

I feel his cards are very, very funny, and I think he
is getting a touch of it, people never know till they stay
and U.S. when one is FORCED to stay is not so oke, and we
always had our final exams in a heat wave... horrible.
However, he does sound as if he really did want Kenwin,
and that is to the good.

I can not go G.P., it is right out of the question now,
as I am really pretty rushed and Whitsun is such a
terrible time to travel, and G. is sure to have in people or
go away. However, I wrote him a long letter of thanks for
his interest in the Pup and will try to see him later.

The place sounds wonderful, there. I will
see seeing Pup now for dinner and will hold this for her to add
a line. This may or may not turn out tomorrow's letter.

I had to hurry off, re Rover. It really W I L L be fun
to see him.

Pup is here. She is happy again. She said she would like to
"sign on" for a year but not two. I think the "two" will soon
come; anyhow, I said I thought something could be arranged, that I
would say that she MIGHT have to go to see relatives in States or
something to leave it "open", but I myself, feel, she is bit by
it. It is all wonderful to hear her talk.

I am so happy and do thank you, and feel part of it. She too,
thinks that if she stays, it would be good to have
a small bug-run in the woods, she likes place where Doris
is" and that is funny, as I was there when she was preg, or I was
preg., and she also seems to have pre-natal feelings for
ye onle coste of Cornwall we.

Well, as you see, we are in terrific form.

I am posting Kex letter, the one you wrote, with this,
this evening.

Hal and love and greet the brethern, ever with much
gratitude for the arrived and vivid and exciting professional
Pup. From ye old, gladde

I met the Chatto sister, rather like
Dorothy shakespear was, age 26 and gets
B 10 (pounds) a week in the b.b.c.
Not a bad tie-up, now Pups is on the

prowl

Evening,

Thurs. May 28.

I sent off the cable to the Turtle,
added one word, "stop", between themes, as
there was one word extra and it read smoother.

Dear Fido,

I am waiting now for Bud. We meet Pup at the Gull, as she gets off so late. Bud and I will have a hurried supper; he comes in direct from p.b.

I had moneys, why ??? But that you. Ten pounds. I have written the bank, who say they are sending me later, a re-statement of "settlement." Thank you- again, again, but why, dear Fido ?

I have just picked up, from glass table downstairs, the new box of flowers, they are lovely. I sent VEE a p.c., this morning, but it was in memory of the old boxes, however, will you tell her- I presume you got them together, they are lovely, and I am presently separating the one huge bowl into several, as already they have opened their tight petals and are filling the place with fragrance.

I am terribly annoyed and bothered that Eil. is here. The p.b. said that Kex would be able to stand up for himself, but I am afraid I was not thinking of Kex but the general muddle when Eil. is in the offing. However, I will be here and do my best to see Kex alone, and tell Bud, this evening, that Kex will be here. I will make up a story, if you don't mind, to the effect that you wanted Kex to have some touch with ps-a group and L. and L., and get Bud, prob., to save Thu., which was the original day Bud and I were to go out with the Chatto. But in the confusion of all this, I have

simply arranged with the chatto to come in here for
sherry, not planning a party out. I may keep him on
to dinner, depending, prob. will. But I do not want to
be bound to anything these few days, and feel a party planned
just now, sans Kex, would be difficult, and anyhow, we
want to see Kex all we can. So I will tell Bud, if you don't
mind that YOU wanted him to have a glimpse of KEX, and
so, if it happens, I will feel oke in theunk, re the "party." I
we'll simply pospone thelatter, may even have them all in, as for
sherry, but am in no mood for plot and counter-plot and could
NOT risk Eileen meeting these new people.

I have got out the ION again,
and will bang it across, it is horribly mixed up in unk,
wiht a chee-eld and prob. fear of R.A. and all
that, as there is a photo. of him, as big as life, in their
outer office, though no sign in the private rooms,
upstairs. However, p.b. seems to think that the photo.
means a "presence" or the watching of Cuth. You remember it
was via that joint anthology that I went there. We never mention
Cuth, but apparantly there is that, holding me up; Ion
being the child, and Chatto "legalizing" it, in a book
and Cuth on the war-path. So forgive me if I seem slack;
I am not really.

Had to go p.b. at 3, I always fee I/horrible, when the hour
is changed. He is away Sat., and Mon., and Tues I go late in
the afternoon. I shall be glad for rest, but apparently the unk
resents these flights of the p.b. into the vast unknown.

I repeat, Pups is in terrific form,
and things going grandly. Ever with much love, ye

Fri. May 29.

Dear Fido,

Terrific time at Gull, last night, Bud and Pup and I, in
front row of circle; it was, as Bud said, like " being
in the room," with a lake-scene in the back-ground,

like old Kenwin. Bud was in terrific form and had
bought for Pup a lovely new Shakespear Anthology. I am
ging to try to get a copy myself, to carry about. We have all
gone very, very Leo-renassance. Pup met us there, she
said calmly, " to-day we decided not to have lunch, so
as to get in more work. " They evidently themselves took
the textra time and "did" with apples, I can not make it out,
but fortunately after the first grouse ( and, apparently, the
others were angry and sore in tails, as well ) they have all
rushed forward like the charge of the light brigade; I
suppose you call it being a " good old trooper. " I simply
am amazed, now Pp says she is determined to work till
she faints in the dressing-room, etc. etc. Really, Fido,
WHAT have you brought-up and trained .... well,
there it is. I am not worried now. I do agree the
place is " white", in a way, but they work them
and God they were good, in the gull, I mean Guilgood and
another old gent., George Devine, who is one of the
instructors, there at Vic., L. T.S. Bud is like me,
simply limp with astonishment.

If I take it much too hark. I only threw in the writing
of plays, extra.; I do not approve, either of" learning to

written, but already Pup is in a stew lest they don't take her oh, and maybe she can crawl in somehow, and keep there if she does a "production course." I don't know if this is possible, I only threw it out as Pup had. The work is the thing, OF COURSE. She had the part of a girl who cired, yesterday, I couldn't make it out, but evidently she had been "crying" all afternoon. I imagine somehow, that Pup has the hallmarks and that she may keep her... that may be just a hope... but I think you are right. I prob. couldn't actually stand the constant strain of it, and it would be better in "park," as you say. However, we will see.... certainly a lot of "writing" seems a shadow of a life, after Pup and the Vic.

Gosk, right on top of this, L. and L. comes, what a number. I think Kex comes up terrifically well and I have only glanced at Man. as am taking vol. with me to tea-room, en route p.b. I do congratulate you.

I find D.A. Hill rather" thin," but don't care, it's a step out, and the name acts as focus for a lot of old war-stuff that I will gradually "eliminate". Don't TELL about HILL, it better stay like that for the time, if you don't mind. I love Bud's back-chat in the back. I do, do thank you, Fido.

The Dickinsons and Silvia come in this afternoon. I am so grateful to them and will have much to say. Pup can not get in, I am sorry, but I have messages for them, from her, and certainly will be happy to see them and will tell the tail of J., discreetly.... as per your remark about Doris.

I am glad to hear all news of the wall and the narcissus are
lovely and will make the room festive this afternoon.

Best to Bee. Yes, how funny
about Andre G....is he living there, or what? Gosh...
Fido, life is stepping out. I won't meet Kex, now, as I
wrote you. But will try to keep fluid, and have not
broken off the Thurs., just don't quite know how I will
arrange, either a lone or with the bunch, but I think
maybe will compromise on Bud for sherry. Anyhow, there it is.

Thank you for
help and comforting words. I am really a wreck. But I
go p.b., and he is most kind. I am afraid I am inclined to
show-off about Pup getting in the school, as I keep hearing
it is difficult.

Much love and again thanks, ever your old friend,

Sat. May 30.

Dear Fido,

I enclose from G.P. He must have been at Gull, the same evening that we were. How funny!

A lot of ps-a material came up, re Gull, and I may get the p.b. to go. But if I do, I will say that you left money, at a ticket-agent, and that the tickets are as from you, or otherwise, I could hardly send them/tickets. But the costumes are so funny, and it is sheer p.b. world with a flight mother and a son, who in the end( you may remember) shoots himself. Anyhow, it is like tht... and one keeps on describing it, and if p.b. goes he will be part of it. But I may decide against it, or they may not want to go. But we had marvelous seats, the middle of the circle, like being in the room, as Bud said, and I would like the Bears to see it from that angel. But I may not.... will see later, as anyhow, there is aIl this weekend and over, Whitsun.

The Dickinsons were in great form, loved aIl news of Pup and the school. He is in despair as he and Koch want to finish a historical "Races of Britons" sort of film, and they can't manage to convince their company etc. etc. It sounds lovely, like those little books, great sweeps of time and so on, indicated by rythms and so on. Koch has been working on types and looking out everything... however, I suppose that is their job. I spoke of Lotte and of how much I like her; I said that I

got put off my beat with film people, as I loved
film so much that I could not write, and that I had
to finish some writing... and so on. I put it that way.
They D.s stayed from about six to eight, and I liked it all,
but two hours is enough and I have to allow at least eight with
Lotte. When one is alone, like this, one is swamped...
but I think all is well, Silvia was here and helped, I got in
sandwitches for the sherry at Harrods, very good. It
was quite a party in a small way, and I will repeat for
you, any time you want. Sherry with plates of foodder is
much better all round that tea.

Pup called up last night, had been working very hard, but must
have been tired as we got back so late from Gull. She will
come in to-morrow and I will go one of the days to Audley.
Pup says Gladys is with your mother. Pup seemed very
happy and certainly we are a real " bunch" now. I liked
Guilgood in this, took the part of the elderly novelist and did
not camp as per usual. Really, very, very good... after
all, they are an A I bunch of artists. Martitia was in
it, too and Quartemain, as Pup say a lot of " the family."
I love all this....

Well, I am waiting now for Rvr. I will send the usual
stop-press. Much love all round and thanks for papers and
cuttings and letter from Marya, most interesting.

Love from ye olde,

Sunday, May 31.

Dear Br.,

All is well. I read, late last night, the Wild Goose, it is really very good, you remember those two dames who went off in 18th century. I think you will like it. There came a pile of vols. I will see that the Pup gets the Stage one, it looks good enough kitch, but I myself, will not trouble with it, I will tell Pups it came in a pile of books, from Bump., will not specify that you ordered it. I think she will wallow, probably.

Thanks for all cuttings on de Regnier, most interesting.

Pup is due for early tea, I will get her to read me some French.

She had worked hard on Friday, have not heard report of Sat., but will to-day, she has Monday off.

I hear from Una who is nibbling at the ps-a. I will speak to the p.b., of course, who had suggested that Una go for "interviews".

I feel Una has much more real stuff in her than any of the others. But I am forcing nothing. If people won't go, I am through these awful scenes, and counter-scenes. Hart was a surprise and I think Hart is in a freeful state- I believe, and always will, that Brook.

broke in, there.

But I can't mess up too much. It isn't JUST the one person, there seems always a nest of hornets stirred up round that one possible "convert."

However, I am really anxious to help Una, because of her

talent.

I suddenly remembered that to-day is Silvia's birthday.
I forgot all about it, and am glad I remembered, I will
call her up and suggest she come in, after Pup, to supper.

Just called up Silvia, she is going country with dogs, which
simplified the day- I will have her in one day in the week.
I got her some dragon material next door, rather nice, but
have done nothing else. However, you have done so much for
her... and I thank you...

About that money, Fido, it just makes me feel so funny... but I
am writing this bank as per your directions, and will report at
once to you.

Well, it is cold, cold. I am living in the blue Scott-A. frock,
it is perfect for this cold spring, and goes well with grey
loose coat and grey hat.

Much love and again many, many thanks.

Ever ye

I will report all Rover news, stop-press...