Tuesday

HILDA ALDINGTON
HÔTEL DE LA PAIX
LAUSANNE

Darling Fido,

These are both your own Pups- so please keep them. They
will give me others when we get there. Bless you for everything,
these more than 32 years. I had tea at mutrux and now am
happy with clouds lifted- so if I can do any shopping for you, let

me know. O- bless you, Fido darling. I was so
happy to-day and we had a lovely Easter, in spite of my
inner-fog. Thank Bear again for the two boxes of

majic. Tell Elsie, the rose are full-summer now, and I
long to return and have a day in Kenwin garden. I have so
much to say but will just run this down to the box.

head through these meagre lines. There were fresh violets
up in the little long park-garden and the air and the
Alps intoxicate your old happy C.A.T.

April 24

Bear seemed all, all right -
said he had a wonderful trip back.
Forgive this tear ...

C19517

Dearest Fido,
I don't know when or how to begin. I am still a bit blurred.
We crossed, skipping Shannon, in just a little over 12 hours.
They asked of you at Lancaster, everything went off beautifully
there. Madame loved the lip-stick outfit and is
saving the bag for tomorrow, for the little girl's 9th
birthday. You must forgive all these mistakes. Bear rang,
after I had rung Elsie. She had beautiful carnations for me,
and I must try to find something for her. I did not get
present in N.Y.; there is the extra white nylon slip you
got me which I don't like to give but you will advise me. She
can not wear my stockings. I brought back four pairs untouched.
There was no difficulty at Paris, they just let all
promising "tourists" through. They dug around at Geneva, I
don't know what for. I said I had these few presents, but all
was well. Madame is very much interested. Everything was in
perfect order here. I shall be so glad to see you. I want to write a
lot of letters; mention my return if or when you write various
people. I had your last letter-folder, so glad you had
the play but just as well, I think that I missed the long evening.
Weather is marvelous. I will find my land-legs later, D.V. - no
special letters in. Madame had an enormous azelia-tree and
fruit in a basket for me. I can't believe I am
here, Fido dear, and I can not begin to thank you. I will
be so, so happy to see you again. Please give suitable greetings,
it is blissfully clear, clean and OPEN - and a miracle
to be back - but I am so happy to have made the trip and hope
to go again. I wrote P. and J. from Paris but mention my return
when, if you write. I am trying to write. I can really
hardly manage the keys - am feeling marvelous, just
a little unstable as to knees.
So much love
CAT.

April 25, Wednesday

Dearest Fido,
I have your letter from N.Y., about receiving the cable. I am so glad you got it, just then. I sent a letter to you there and one to Lowndes at the Idlewilde port, but had to ask one of the desk-girls to post, no box of any sort; it does seem so strange. I loved Paris, this time. Last time, too, but being alone, I was afraid I would be a little lost. But it was all really beautiful and I managed all the bills and tips, except for one note- remind me to tell you. Bear rang about 8, this morning. He asked if I had really returned, I said, "yes"; he said he was so happy to be back and that the air was wonderful. It is; I taste and drink it. I must get away again, before I get too, too change of involved with this Swissair. I think it was the atmosphere and altitude that made me so tired. But I do feel the food was excellent and the coffee, sheer dope. I am afraid I missed it the first day, now am coming back to norm, and it is wonderful having my breakfast in bed and taking time over sorting clothes etc.
Please greet all there. Of course, I have had to tell my "story", right, left, center. The dining-room table especially wanted all, my "sensations" above all, when I so bravely dared the empyrean. I got a pack of cards to send out and some stamps, some matches, almond soap, Lindor chocholate. Now, I think that Rosemary you got me, just as good- maybe a special finesse. Mention me and send greeting when you write Gregory and so on. But I am trying to send cards to all.
I did enjoy it, I was only worried about that utter exhaustion. I am so glad that the Viking feels amiable. I must write him, too. Madame Imfelt had an enormous azalea for me and a basket of fruit. She seemed pleased and touched with the presents, inspiration on your part. There is much to write, just

April 26

Dearest Fido,

Thank you for London letter that came after lunch, yesterday. I am glad that you are getting about and seeing people. I will be eager for all news. It is colder here, Madame asked me if I wanted a heater in my room, as some Americans had complained a few days ago. I said, no, the first thing I did, in N.Y., was to get my son-in-law to see that all heat was turned off.

I have been trying to catch up with letters, gone over a few papers, unpacked. Bear rang, all well, said he might be over here to tea on Friday. I have had tea in Paix Café, went out the first day after tea, to get matches, soap, chocholate. I could make quite a little round this afternoon, but will probably sleep on bed. Not my usual habit after lunch—but it is catching up on these hours, or rather matching them up.

Your letter of 25th, just in. They have been coming about 2.15 after lunch. Also, thank you for the two very interesting Metropolitan Museum books. I wanted to go there again and get a lot of cards and booklets, as toward Xmas. But you know how it was. I will so enjoy these. I have also the first book and the Cloister folder to go over carefully. I find the Greeks of whom I spoke so much (with the crazy records) are from S. America, Columbo; they welcomed me back in the hall.

The spider has not appeared but the first Queen who was away when I left, has also come back, to-day. No special news. It is good to be back. I am still curious and uncertain, as to knees, but all else in order. What a time, what a trip! Thank you again for everything. Greet all as indicated. So much love

May 25

Dearest Fido,

I saw Madame and have her formal consent to using the address here, as residence; she said they would do the Livret but I told her I thought better for my cousin, etcetera.; I also went to the Bank and have arranged for 3000 francs to be sent, as in 1949 to Lugano Bank. It can be returned or more drawn ad lib. - no, it is 5000 that they are sending; at 300 roughly a week, it makes about 4 months. I gave them Bristol, as for address after May 31. I also went to P.O. and they gave me two slips, at the package counter.

I asked about tags at the stationers and they said I should get them at P. O.; aren't they charming? A real symbol!

Keep or give to Elsie, you might need them later for your own type-writer. And, by the way, will you bring me a new ribbon. I have two but they are from long past, and both have the appearance of having been tried and discarded.

This ribbon will do anyway, for some little time.

I am thinking of Bear. Please tell him!

Also, if you write Gregories, will you give my plans and address. I don't know where to write them. I can't read the hotel address.

I was so happy yesterday and am now in a good packing-mood, thanks to all your sympathy and help.

May 23

Dearest Fido,

I am so terribly worried; do let me know what I can do for you. Please do not plan to come over unless all is well there. Please tell Elsie how sorry I am. O dear- if only I could help. Thank you for enclosed. It is a lovely letter and fascinating "find." I had an nice visit in American Express and go there to-morrow for my ticket. I sent you back the New Yorker, now, all books etc. have been returned, thank you for them all, all winder. This in haste to get in box. Please, PLEASE let me know if I can help. I feel so reticent now, about leaving you. Mr. Egli said Bristol is one of the very best and price not unusual for Lugano in the season. I am to go to his confrère at Express there, if later, I want to move but he thinks I will be very happy there. I will long for you to come. O- I can say nothing, but thank you. I am glad for news of Perdita and think best, as you say, just to keep to my own original plan though I can pop back if you find this are too much- O bless you. And Valentine seems so particularly to be part of you and all your gifts and goodness.

Endless memorie
& love

CAT.