Feb. 6

Communication 5

HILDA ALDINGTON
HÔTEL DE LA PAIX
LAUSANNE

Fido dear,

Thank you for letters. It is good of you to see about books. If you find a Hedgehog or an Ion, will you post out ? But do not go out of your way. There was also one note-book of the Vienna Freud series, I don't mind if it is destroyed- just don't want it lying around. That also, is nothing to worry about.

Justin case, you find any note-book slipped back of case or books ... No special news. I have been deep in Windward. I do miss you so much.

I have not heard again from Kenwin, only a paper from Elsie.

They are due over to-morrow. I judge nothing is wrong- Bear was to go dentist to-day. He seemed slightly subdued, last ring. I will let you know of any developments.

I heard from Union Suisse that there is a dollar credit, of some 6, I2I.50 the same. This is really very upsetting. They ask for instructions de l'emploi eventual; I will say I am waiting your return. This is "Wifram." Bless you. I can not say thank you, really, Fido.

I was really shocked to learn that you agah, might have been
doing your little turn, of going USA sub rosa. Really- you may do
it yet. I can only pray for good weather and hope you will be back
"Wednesday week", as you say. Hope you enjoy theatres and
other jaunts.

It has been
bitter-cold. I went down to Ouchy yesterday and was assaulted by
gulls and swans ...

Spider has been in great form but I am
dodging her. She wanted news of your brother, I was
very tactful; she said, "of course, I am so interested as I knew
Sir John and Lady Ellerman at the Montreux Palace. " This IS a
joke .... but without snubbing, I was most reticent. But
I don't think you should really meet her even for "copy" -
though she is excellent for that We will see.

Please

Please

great all and sundry- with infinite gratitude and
inexpressable

The Mavros have moved up to fifth floor. I did not realize that the new wing had a fifth. I will later ask if K can go up there. They like it very much - except waiting for lift.

Feb. 6

Letter II
Communication 6

Fido dear,

Just a line in a great hurry to catch the 4.30 post from here.

I just want to say how shocked we all are at the news.

I trust there will be no specific repercussions-
we had the Maître going from table to table, the few English. I
was told in the hall, could hardly eat my lunch. Poor Spider
was having a court-circle of French Queens and was very
shattered. I got out to Tour Haldemand, with bird-bread,
just back and FROZEN. Had a good strong tea in Cafe.
I will prob. not write in morning but send card after seeing Bear-
if and when he turns up.

About books, thank you. Your letter came just as I was leaving.
But could you send the bulk of them to Kenwin? I would be so
very grateful as I had such a time clearing here and do not
want to begin a new cupboard in hall. I can go over them in Kenwin.
I don't want to burden you but anyhow, it would save dragging
them over afterwards. Please do give away all those you listed and
others at lib, that may later, seem indicated. I am so
very grateful for all thought and work on books. And if already
sent here, can pile up in room- and I am so very grateful, really.
Just now, I feel a little shattered. Please give Rita, Ena and
Robert special messages, as seems suitable.

Please forgive this scrappy note. I had long letter from
Sylvia from Paris, nothing much else. I will save old
letters and so on.

Bless you, bless you. I am grateful to you for making possible
that Reading and my contact, our contact, with the little
Royals. So strange to think of that little girl taking over. I
will be waiting for further news and particulars.
Do forgive this short, disjointed note.

So interested in the C.Fry play. I am a great fan of his ...

Feb. 7

Fido dear,
Bear rang this morning and said that M was tired and could they
put off coming till to-morrow? But I don't expect they will- and I
am just as pleased, as feel I want to collect myself. Bear said
very nicely, "we are under a shadow with the death of the King."
I have your letter with the post-script. Thank you so much O -
wonderful to have you back. Let me know of any possible
station-meeting or what you will. I thought of going over
this Sunday but will postpone now- anhow, was not sure of it and
Bear said roads were ice. Now it is a bit warmer.

I must ask you to help me make out that tax-paper. I think it will
have to wait. I thought my brother had these forms, or they were
done automatically. I mean, I have never had word about sale
of books but then, I think we said reports were to go to Harold.
Hence, I should feel that this sort of form should also go to
him. I just don't know, but hate this sort of Tax threat over
me. But surely, it can wait now, a few more days.

I spent about four reading all the papers, terrific tributes to
the King, no English reports yet.

I am also terribly upset. Fido, a bowl of the loveliest flowers;
even as from you, they are most amazing; such fragrance,
cernations, mimosa, spires of forsythia( just a few)
anemonies, tulips, a large small-bunch of snow-drops, the whole
in a beautiful pottery bowl- also some new pussy-willows,
though I am still treasuring my first lot, only finished the
flowers yesterday ... I am really deeply moved, was reading
R.L.S. in S. of France when this came upon me. The book grown and
grown on me; I am reading ALL of the backsection notes. What a
remarkable surprise- R.L.S. worshipped Baudelaire and
Whitman- did you ever? I have much to discuss with you ...

I am reading Norman, just in case of some comment indicated. I
just can NOT write Marianne again, am pleased, saw in one of your
papers that she had this new award. I have JUST written her. If you
haven't yet written, just speak of me ... I see Avon is
mentioned. I should like about 10 copies myself if it is being
sold out. I will try to write N. later. I owe him a letter. If
you write before, please mention ...I have just put Norman's
letter in the envelope with others, for you. All most
interesting- but I am so deeply conscious of the years, my
affection for you there, and now, I am so glad, so glad, that
I did not go back- and spoil impressions. This is in such a
hurry to get to you. Bear sounded all right - it was good to
hear his voice.

I will write again to-morrow, wait for news, I do hope you
get back. Come here, if more convenient- but I guess you will
want to be "at home."

Bless and thank you, a thousand times. The flowers make such a
glow, there on my dressing-table while I is still Xmas-
I am just finishing the last of the port, and the books are still
there. I must stop.

heart-felt love

February 8

Dear Fido,
I hear from Bear this morning; he and I hope to get over, so
I will post a community-card at or after tea in Café.
I will write card to-morrow, probably the last, unless further
word from you, after lunch, that you may stay on. But I do hope
you come back. I will be anxious to hear of your impressions.
I got with some difficulty two Lausanne papers for you, as the
write-up in French is so very interesting and gives one such a
different slant on the whole scheme and picture. I also got
you and will send or bring to Kenwin, ten each of the new
stamps as a little return-home celebration; they are the 100
years of electricity; I though they were some comet or other, as
Elsie had the red one on the paper she sent over. That gave me the
idea of getting them. I do think they are sort-of occult and
esoteric, as electricity au fond, is, though we now take it so
for granted. Ten each of the four are coming to you-

please let this be your first lot to celebrate so much- so
much "communication" that we have had together. Oh, how
wonderfully it has worked out for me. I am sticking a ten and
a five on this afternoon's p.c. and will use the last, perhaps,
on letter or card tomorrow. Spider had birthday

yesterday; I found out, as she had one of those frog-footman
envelopes delivered at dinner, the night before. So she was off
at lunch and I went early to dinner- it is all so very
emotional and the maitre wants all details as to coming
corronation and so on and so on. Thank you for having books
sent Kenwin and news of Cole. I wrote her- did not mention you of
course, will try to get letters to all les anglais-es, as for
my sympathy and loyalty and memories. I am still in a

fever over Windward, notes tell how Harriet Monroe had some R.L.S.
letters,

A little letter from Perdita - all seems very well and he was shaxi chewing at the corners of those pilled-up Xmas blocks ...

among other things, and how Sir O.S. wrote on a certain Mrs. Sitwell, later Lady Colvin, who was instrumental in getting R.L.S. published, a general inspiration, he wrote her thousands of letters, some of which Colvin kept back, thus baffling all these new or erst-new 1920 critic-hounds. All sorts of things have come up- I can not thank you enough.

I must try to write Norman. I am just now rather living in the English vibration and the threads that I find in the R.L.S. pattern.

I am AMAZED. I want to send the book to George Plank for his birthday? Do you think it might be good if you ordered it from Truslove, at once? I have written G.; I can settle with you, later. It may get sold out.

I have NEVER been so surprised; he was soaked in Baudelaire-Baudelaire!

The old story too, of laudinum and opium, given, at one time to keep down desperate pain- no hint that he was a dope, but that too is interesting.

Something too, of Lawrence in bitterness that seemed to have been kept out of the nursery-Stevenson that I knew!

We will have much to talk over.

Oh- the flowers. They are all perfect this morning. Sometimes those bowls are only surface and I though I might re-pick them but no, they are all perfect. I did pour in water of course, last night, an exquisite picture- there are yellow daisies too, I forgot to include them in my list yesterday. I do not think it is quite so cold. Oh- bless you-bless you-and all sympathy for "the shadow" as Bemr again called it.

Gratitudes a love

CAT.

Feb. 9, Saturday

Dear Fido,

I guess this will be my last letter to London; I may send a
card at the end. I am so glad that you are due back. Bear and I
came in to tea at Café. Bear seemed to want to linger on,
ow his decies, but we got him off in a taxi and they caught the
train. Bear rang toward evening to say he had had your wire and
that you would stay till Tuesday. I am glad as that gives me time
to write and tell you - of course, give away all that you have
mentioned and anything else, except the William Morris table. But
I know that is safe- eventually, it must be placed somewhere, I
suppose. I only feel guilty that I have not been able to help you.
I wish you could have had Madame Ash in, as she knew the lay of
the land, but I guess things have been moved about a good deal. I
am very grateful to you for seeing about books, to Kenwin. Please
now and at any time, remember that the whole store is yours- and I
am only grateful to feel that things may be "utilized." Later,
if anything left, perhaps Ashby might have something or Jessie
Capper. But now, you have done enough. I guess you will have finished
up the oddments. I am so sorry you had this heavy chore, all alone.
Your letters of 6 and 7 both came last night, and delay in mails, due
to situation? I was so glad to hear. Thank you for papers to come.

M was in a terrific gale, had been buying copies of
water-colors, stacks and stacks of beautiful cards and a huge
book. She brought me a tiny azelia. I told them I would come over at
once, you return. Let me know on telephone. I can come W-d. or Thurs.,
provided no extra fuss is made over meals. I will be so eager to
talk but that will not be necessary. Everyone here takes the
King's death, personally. The girl at Rheubi didn't know, Bear
said she clasped her heart and said, "no, no, not the King." Elsie
stayed up all night, putting her clothes etc. in order, as "I
might die in the night like the King." The Maître here is concerned

about the Consort. "It will be very hard for him, having his wife
Queen." And so on, all personal reactions. I enclose from
Kenneth. I unpicked some of my wonderful bowl, as
some of the tulips were wired and I felt they would be better in
the glass vases, and now I have two vases and the bowl looks
as full as ever though actually, I have unwired carnations and
tulips
pink and unwrapped the large bunch of snow-drops and
gave them all more room. I do thank you. I am still rather
feverish over Windward. I have been trying to write
people, a letter from E.L.A., am answering, all take it so
personally- and I, too. Dear Fido, bless you and thank you
and England for everything. There is so much more to say. Now we
have thick snow falling again but I do not feel the cold so much.
There was even more snow at Burier, Bear said. Bear was
worried lest your room might not be ready but said on telephone,
he thought all would be well for you. We are all so very, very glad.
I will be here or there ar at station, at any hour of day or
night.

Love from
with телеграм
CAT.

40 LOWNDES 1D SQUARE S.W.1.

Sloane 3835

Thursday

Fido,

So sorry to bend your letters; I enclose
from P to self, with photographs. Please
show them around; you may have had them.

I learned from Madame Imfeld that "boys"
are due back late to-night. I will
give K the MSS at once, though I will not have
finished. I have been through about half and it
comes up more luminous and striking than
ever.

I spoke of the spaces- no
other possible criticism except for your own
words noted.

There are not so many of those
spaces, some are clear enough. But something to
watch next time. Bless you and thank you. Fido
dear! Spider was all over the place about your
plant, I said I

would give her thanks as she said that you said that SHE was not to write. She is in great form and rather snapped at the Anglo-Indian for a snap-up talk she was having about banking with the Shanghi yogi! I am quite in my element and feel almost one of the inner circle, now that you have paved the way or strewn it with roses, roses ... all the way.

The French lady with the 8 fur coats has been staying at the clinic to be near ... and this morning, the maître told me, the "gentleman went." It was a long, long waiting for her ... I don't suppose she will appear again.

O, so many, many thanks. I am just dashing out a letter to Perdita, then out in this glorious sun. The flowers are a dream, I am parking them in the hall, during my absence, sun is so strong. Bless you thank you- love to "W. S." and congratulations, all round.

I am infinite quality, cher maîtresse

From CAT.

40 LOWNDES 1D SQUARE S.W.1.
Sloane 3835

April 24 52

---

Fido dear;

Looking over **October**, I can't pick out page or pages as luminous, stained-glass - they all, all are. I am delighted with your fan-mail and this is not attempt to add to it. The 14th brought its blessing to me, in my room at Lowndes, in the corner, facing the book-case, side-ways. I remember just how I was, how I felt at reading the first pages. My own war and War I and War II volumes are cloudy beside this, but I was **fining** finishing something begun, spiritually or psychologically, way back in 1920- even before, I was trying to "fix" the impressions in Cornwall, at the time of our meeting. Wonderful! This Birthday, yesterday, seems to renew all the others- and

Perdita and Valentine both owe their
lives to you. How glad I am that John really
sees this.

I meant to tell you how delighted I am that
Hildegardes specialist knows your brother's
work- who knows- he may "save civilization" one
day, if THE rat should ever emerge!

Now, please - I wrote Marie-Louise that I
thought that P had written them- but I don't
even know if P knew of Madame B. I wonder if
you could give enclosed to P and explain-
and perhaps type a note for her to sign. I don't
know if you told her or if you wrote but I know
keeps referring to it. I think she feels (what
with the babies) that P is a link with
the de Wees. Anyhow- I am sorry to bother
you- so afraid I will forget and there will be
much else to talk of on Saturday.

What fun we had yesterday!

Blessings and love and infinite thanks

May 13, Sunday

Fido dear,

Just a line, if I can manage it. Machine is none too easy.
I do so want to thank you for cigarettes, for the magnificent
bag of chocholates, for the naughty fr.5 that you left in
my wooden Lugano bowl. Don't bring the MERMAID,
unless you can keep it, till my return, at Kenwin. For I do not
want to leave it here, to be bumped about in a trunk or case.
It would look rather charming with the little figure in the
studio hall. But don't worry with this. My fingers are black
with this ribbon. If you could find an old, original one there, I
would be grateful. I will look into the matter of the other machine
but not this next time, on Wed. alone there. There is nothing
to report, as you are still there. But I am going over books, and
re-sorting. I will leave the Amberlain, as actually, I did read
a good deal this winter - and I want the fresh associations in
Lugano. I will be eager for all weather-news and other, from
Bear. I do, do hope you have a happy time, and please give much
love and suitable messages where and when indicated. Now this is
marching better, but forgive all blunder. I go your stocking with
my two, and will take over and remind Elsie to put away the
dresses. There won't be much time to write and I don't suppose
much news to give until Wed., and then, it is too late to reach
you.

Again, thank you for the Amberlain, last Sept.;
there is much there and in his other book but I will concentrate on
Dante and a Vita that I have with German translation. I am
sure the Maestro would approve. So much to thank you for
the idea of Lugano in the first place, as far back as Küssnacht.
Also Maestro first books! Much much much love, dear
Fido and thanks for the visit yesterday. I never wrote Rita about
her father- do give some message. Especially too, please

May 12, Monday

52

Dear Fido,

Thank you for ringing me, for letters and stamps, for
the paper. I hear from Ashby that she will be sure
more or less, to turn up in July to see me in Lugano. I just can't
take it in, that far ahead. You will advise me. I will leave it
a little vague, when I write her again. It is terribly
good of Elsie to bring over machine and I do feel at last, that
perhaps it is indicated that I bring or take another to Lugano. All
the same, if there is a regulation, old ribbon to be found, will
you snaffle it up- the last one I had, did not have to be wound. And
I have a phobia that I may not be able to cope with new machine,
but I will honestly, this time, give it a fair trial. And I am
most grateful to you for this thought and trouble.

I hear from the Locarno waiter that weather is reported
better there. I spoke of friends at Montagnolia, he beamed and
said that his father and mother had both come from there.

After lunch ...

case of any news in.
happiness there.

same for the trip over.

one tapestry piece with wools and take a very small one
with me. I will be so glad if you will keep the others there and
I will hope to go over them on my return from Lugano. Do
forgive this scrap. You are really, only just off. But so much
love

I kept this open in

Can only again wish you all

Lovely day, I do hope you have this

I have been putting away

Sunday

Fido dear,
I am horribly disappointed with myself; somehow or other,
I caught a germ, sort of subgastric flu. There has
been some sneezing in the dining-room, it may be going
the rounds. I write to say that I think best to keep
away from Kenwin, until, say, about Wed.; I don't even
think you should come over. I am better to-day but was
very depressed and cross.
Now, don't waste good
ping minutes on this, but Madame Rosenberg rang me; she
asked me if I would like the black fur cut like the other. I
love the cape and it is perfect, but it is much, much
smaller than I had planned; if she modelled black fur on that,
there would be a great loss of fur. I suggested that she
made a larger cape, just as the material suggested. I said
that there was no hurry, that you would explain this, not to
CUT the fur until she had seen you. About the coat, I said I
wanted a light weight lining and rather light faun
colour. As I said to her, I would not want the things till
autumn, so there is no hurry, anyway. She rang Kenwin,
first. I said you were in London.

Now, I have lost three days and it will prob. be five at
any rate, before I am myself, so I think indicated that I
go June 4, not May 28, but I will not write hotel until
mid-week, as I may suddenly feel better.

I tried on everything with Miss Müller; I said I was in no
special hurry but all the same, I don't want the things trailing
in late, when I am almost finished packing. If you see her,
just remind her. I won't tell her that I may stay on a
week longer.

Then, I did a stupid thing. I forgot there was trouble in
sending MSS out; Christian wrote me they had eight forms to

fill out, but they had already posted MADRIGAL. So it
was too late to get in touch with Miss Voules. I suppose these
will arrive ? Will there be trouble this end ? They
said it would be about a week, that is, MSS should be out
here, about Wednesday. Don't take link time to discuss
this, unless urgent. I did feel so upset about this.

You see how I love the machine, though I am making
mistakes. There are one or two points that I will want
you to explain. I have enjoyed it, though written few
letters, as was so miserable.

I had one of the happiest days of my life over with V, last
time. Thank Elsie again.

I am so happy and proud about all your reviews and
enjoyed your huge fan-mail.

Thank you too, for ringing me when he did, it was a great
comfort.

I have already arranged Banks both ends. I have at
Lugano, verified, frs. 1097, 20.

With infinite love and thanks,

Don't bring mat OR type-writer, you can use this!

May 29

Fido dear,

A very quick note to thank you for the mat, the book, bundle of maggs (which I took to their room last night), two little notes. Interesting about the M affair.

I wonder. Of course, Mrs I has always been very charming to me, but I am not "young" as Madame M remarked, without malice. The weather is on and off; it rained in the night and soaked P's smalls or something of the sort, left on balcony. They have gone off to town. We had a lovely meeting, they came in just as I was getting dressed and we had dinner at once, so we worked in your message. I did not stay to talk, as time is short. I am sorry for mistakes, I feel a bit dizzy and they said they felt their 7 hours trip too, so we are nicely adjusted, just to pottering about. John says he would like to borrow this.

I will write a more coherent letter later. The sun has been very hot, then clouds, but I think it more beautiful than ever—perhaps a bit "lowering", as the English always say, at the moment. The hotel is surprisingly empty, only the front dining-room, I can't tell just who is here, so much to talk over last night— I have not got my bearings. It is uncanny and heavenly, the quiet and the few bells. Tell Bear, all will be well. I have had no time to approach desk, will do so at once. Trip was good but got very bumpy tearing along toward end. We all feel shatred—but happy— and such an inspiration to have them here. Must stop. Fingers too shake-y. So much love and gratitude for idea of this.

Sat., 12.30

I saw your train left at 12.05, so I waited by the steps but you may have thought I was on the other side- anyway, I was thinking of you- and in my whirl, I stepped unto an Ouchy bus- had to get out of course, fortunately, had not gone far- got home just now, rains dripping with melted snow ( I mean roofs dripping rain.) My flowers are a dream and go with the new cut-out Professors on my festive table that is still un-cleared Xmas books.

Hotel de la Paix
Lausanne

Sunday

Thank you so much for little note- and I
heard at dinner from Ursus that you
had arrived; he said the connection was dim
and he could hardly hear- but you had arrived- that
was all that mattered to me. Bless you. I
have just written P and J and sent surface,
card and check as for V-Day. There is
clean, fresh, mountain-resort snow this morning.
I am grateful you got off yesterday. No news
in. I will go on sending a line a day.

Lausanne

Hotel de la Paix

Monday, Feb. 4, Card 3.

By this morning to say all well, M
had arrived about 5 yesterday, very tired. They

Thursday. are due here in Café, for tea, on Wednesday.

It was terribly cold and streets absolutely
deserted yesterday and no one in Café, to
speak of, except the Mavros, playing chess, huddled
in a corner. I suppose people come in cars, it is
usually over-packed on Sunday. Now sun is out
and I will hope to get out after lunch.

I just

W

Feb. 5. Card 4

Thank you so much for little note that came
last night. I did not hear from B this
morning, will no doubt, toward evening.

Lots of fresh snow, but sun is really out
and warm on me! back. A little Spider
tangle, I must try to get down to dinner
earlier; I was so entranced with the R.L.S.
and forgot time.
South Seas section of Windward, Would
talk about Montreux Palace and "of course,
I KNEW Lady Audley there". Went on about

de la Baix,
Lausanne

Hotel