I see you have Mrs. A. on the envelopes
you left me, so I add it. Now strange to
feel you are there; this is just to let you
know that I had a very happy trip to
St. Francois and enjoyed various blue-rock-
flower and magnolias on the way up. I
will deliver all messages to Bear and report
further when I see him, as planned, to-morrow.
Greet friends past and present, as you have
opportunity, Doctors B. and B. among others.
What vistas the station opened up again;
those platform-farewells at Montreux; I wish I
had kept a sort of log of them all. I have
just read Kenneth's letter and really do feel
that he gives us all the important details;
I am surprised and greatly impressed(!) -
wow! what will happen in the best New Yorker
tradition, if there is a wedding? We must
both wear mauve and stand hand-in-hand.
Or does one wear dove-grey? Ask Rita!

April 12
Wed.

Please greet all and share news!

Fido dear,

This in a hurry; I have just written P. saying I would wait
your return before making plans, saying that we would not want her
to leave J.S., this summer ... and so on and so on. I told her not
to write doubles to us, that we would share out all news. I am
a little shattered at the thought of Maine and I presume, well...
I will wait for you. I did not say to Pup, we were or were not
coming; I said I would wait for your return when we could talk
ad lib. O dear, O dear. I like the forest-father and family and
I know Maine a bit, it is, as you know, the north of New
England, and the college and so on sounds in the slightly

New Haven picture.

Bear rang and I

am glad you are all right, he said you had been air-sick, I do
hope you are better now.

I will see him this afternoon,

fortunately and will send more news after. They have
seized this exact minute to change my room; Madame was
most apologetic, showed me my new room or one like it. It is
in the new wing, this floor, a lovely room and bath, with no extra

to pay. They are putting in something on the roof, over
me! 'lead, I think she said a bath or bath-rooms; they may be
building on a top floor to the place, anyhow, it is all right,
only my bags and baggages are strewn about, waiting for them to
drag them down the hall, at any minute.

Madame wants me

to leave things here this summer, says she has empty rooms and
it would be better to keep my clothes in a cupboard, very nice
of her; I took the occassion to tell her I would be here most of

May. Well... no use going on about it.

I don't enclose the

photographs, they are out-of-doors; I will show Bear and send to
you to-morrow. Return the letter, but in no, no hurry. I will
wait it for reference. She says she is writing you. Bless you;

I can never, never, never begin to thank you for everything, Fido and
this is just in a hurry before they burst in, to move me.

April 13 1950

Fido dear,

Will you return enclosed, at leisure. Bear said he "looks like a tree, himself." Bear seemed all right, I said the goblin to him. I see him again, to-morrow. Bear said he imagined that they really wanted to be private at the wedding, anyway, I told him that I was waiting for you and Bear can better judge from the ps-a view, after he sees the letter; no hurry for that. I was a bit rattled yesterday and glad to talk to Bear. I moved into this lovely room, and really now, I am horribly spoiled and wonder if I can ever move out. I have a huge bath and had a hot steam soak this morning and have got some pine-salts and am having a sort of BAIN treatments for my slightly indiscreet rheumatism. It has been very cold and raw and they of course, just NOW, would turn off all the heat. However, the hot bath at hand, makes all the difference. Madame said I would have it for a month at the same price, but I am sure I can never move and it will bust me ... and I don't even want to go to Lugano now. It is bigger and I have been really happy with elbow-room for going over boxes etc, and books are all piled up on the wonderful majic little case, I feel so at ONE; at first, I did have a sort of blow seeing "John", as big as life and twice as natural. But I think too, it was the sudden room change-over and you in London. Bless you. I mean, I do not want you back just yet, but is the association of London. Bear thought I had a cold but I got sort of relaxed London throat just thinking of you there. It is better now, after my bath "treatment" and a lovely low bed, with wonderful new soft blankets etc. It is heaven, it is 407, the middle of the new wing-corridor.

I have written Miss Voules, saying I would be glad to see her any day. She is due to-morrow. I wrote Sejour, of course. I told her and others that r was very rushed and wanted her friends here, to know, and I told P that I was writing a few people. I will go on combining my Easter letters with the news.

Darling Fido, no use to say again and again, that we both owe you everything. I think the family sounds nice and that sort of little New England university was always very much the top.

This out to the box - bless you. Bear said it was sulky but nothing out of the way. We talked of P mostly and o. you there in London.

Please greet all round -

Thank you for your little Lausanne letter; no other news in yet.

April 14

Thank you so much for your letter—and all
news; I am glad you had happy time with
Edith and are seeing plenty of people.

My cards from Hattie are really rather
funny. Desert Blooms, 12 of them, and I am
sending them as jokes with some details
of Perdita, George, Pop and old Mrs. Russell
so far. I am writing just a line to Dobsons,
Cole and so on.

I am seeing Bear
at tea-time. Fido - it is COLD. I don't
want to think of move since they put me here,
in 403, complete with that huge bath and
shower. Just now, with all the new
developements, I prefer being a solid block.

I will write a letter, now I am so cold—am
just rushing this out. WHY do they
turn off ALL the heat, at the coldest
time of the year ???? Do hope you are
a right there and all-de-l'air is

April 15

Hotel de la Paix,
Lausanne

Fido dear,

Thank you for letter, so sorry it is cold there. It rains here and there is grey-white fog over the lake. I am not quite so cold, I got out my Como-Lugano bunny-coat to wear; it is almost too warm in the real winter but now is perfect; I am huddled in it now, such a comfort. I hear from Viola; "We saw the announcement in Sunday's Tribune, to Dr. John Schaffner", nothing else, re them, but from her special messages to you as well as to me. I enclose Tessin as it may warm you a bit. I am showing the J.S. letter in London to Bear to-morrow, do you want it back? I was glad for all details, that school at Bryn Mawr where, I gather, his sister is, is one of the most, most select and stylish but the B.M. prep schools were all rather on that line. O dear— saw Bear, he seemed all right, seemed a bit put out at idea of Elsie at

lunch to-morrow but I said I had already invited her and I will see him in Paix cafe before lunch. He had no special news, not so worried about the other animal or creature. All news of the Bunch is most interesting. I will keep letters, other than from P, till you return. I am so happy going on with Moonlight, and am myself there, living the wonderful trip that I didn't have from the Hellenics with P, when she was 13, 1932, it must have been, before my trips to Vienna. What vistas. here, everyone looks frozen and my old ladies appear like Russian douagers of the old days, in more and more and more furs! The Baron ambled along yesterday or the day before, and wished me most regally, a "Blessed Easter." Please all love and thanks to Robert and share P news and other with him. Forgive rather jumpy, inadequate letter, my desk is lovely but right in or at the window— and the mist seems to walk right through the window— though I am happy with

a hot steam-bath in the morning and that helps a lot.

Blessings and eternal gratitude

For once, I am totally and with NO reservations, pro Eliot.

You MUST NOT light candles with a cigarette petrol lighter!!!

Hotel de la Paix, Lausanne

April 16

Have just had lunnh with Elsie and Bear; all
went well and I asked them next Sunday,
unless you arrive then and want lunnh
there or Geneva. Bear gave me messages, am so
glad you feel it best to wait N.Y., till
later. I gave B the J.S. letter; he
read after I left Cafe and told me at lunch, he
felt that J.S. was very reliable and
trustworthy. Thank you for two letters that
came late yesterday. I will write later,
the whole day has gone, as Sunday does,
happily with visitors. It is dark
with cloud over new snow on mountains, but
they have had to put on a little heat, it
hardly registers as the place froze
like a block of ice, those three days.
So glad to hear of people there. I see
Miss Voules on Tuesday and B asked if he
could come Mutrux too, as he wanted to
give her message from you and invite to

March 17 - 0: I mean, April.

Hotel de la Paix
Lausanne

Fido dear,

Thank you for letter returned with photograph and the one to you, from Pup and the carbon of your own to her; also, especially for your own letter to me. I talked to Bear yesterday about the fall trip, he seemed to think he wanted to come along. It would be heaven if you were back for next Sunday dinner. I got Elsie talking about exploits of her childhood and Bear clinging to a icy mill-wheel and almost getting caught in the pont-ice beneath; we were quite gay but I did make an effort, as I felt that Bear had been disappointed not to have a cosy, alone over lunch; but we had our usual deci-s and they went off after. It is cold and but the sun is out clear and fine; it may get better now. There is a slight increase in the pulse of heat though Bear found the hotel very cold after Pully. I am very much interested in all literary doings in N.Y.; it is really just the thing for her. Funny, her meeting the Carrick from Oxford Press. I suppose everyone turns up if one is "seen" around. I will hope to slide in and out, if I go and am so happy that you have decided it is better to wait here. early said again that really we were not being urged and were not invited to maine. I AM glad Pup is pleased with our arrangement and I had already written her that we would NEVER allow her to leave her 'usband like that, so soon after marriage. You may want this for reference, the enclosed; I copied down a few details to write my brother, Gretchen and so on, but I have not yet got round to it. Children are playing in the little park, they have the summer swings and sand-tables, I presume it is their Easter holiday still. Bless them! I will see

Bear ¼ hour at Mutrux before Miss Voughes comes, then, I will give him the last lot of letters to read. So sorry it is cold there- and PLEASE do not bother about books or anything for me, if you are rushed. There is really no

special urge, I just wanted to go over the xanadu SECOND
scrip of Sword, while I was here and comfortable. But I am
so comfortable that I van not see myself leaving. The furniture
is all the very clear-cut modern type, like the early
Lowndes bits that K collected for me and I feel more chez-moi
here than anywhere since leaving Lowndes, though mercifully, I
got away when I did. This is really like a little smart
apartment, lovely fresh, clear pattern curtains, new fittings of
course everywhere and the bath is a dream. But I won't speak to
them yet, it may cost a fortune and Madame Imfeld did say, I
would be here for a month for the price of the old room, as they
had had to move me themselves. They are re-conditioning the old
balconies apparently, as well. I have no balcony but a wide
shelf with pretty green and gold rails. I think you will
like coming here; I do hope so, and I so look forward to your
return.

So much to thank you for! Really, I think the whole Schaffner
setting is a blessing. I do long to talk it over with you.
Again with thanks and greetings to all there,

Hotel de la Paix
Lausanne

April 18

Just a line; I go off to Mutrux. No
letter this morning. It is not quite so
cold, and a misty gleam of sun-light.
Thank you for Kew card, so glad you had the
outing. I remember it all so well,
those bluebells. I had letters,
George, Cole etc., all seem so happy about
Perdita. I will write of Bear and
report on Miss Voules, she is being
the carbon, as lighter, of the Rose book.
No special news. It will be wonderful if
you do manage to get back on Saturday, but
if you are happy there, do hope you
stay - but HOPE you come back. We miss
you so much. This out to box,
with so much love and so relieved that the
Maine plan leaves us free to make

Hotel de la Paix
Lausanne

April 20

This may not get to you but just a last card to say I had a very nice letter from J.S. and I must try to answer it at once; he just goes on with the plan, saying what he said to you about not wanting to change P's summer plans but I will repeat what I already told her, NOT to come, that we will hope to be over. Wonderful description of the Maine place, an old cottage where they will go and the fresh points of "Little Ponds", off from the sea-estuaries. The sun is out, but still cold; I had trip to Ouchy yesterday, flowers magnificent, much balmier down there. I will hope to go again and catch up on the blossom, pear, cherry, so heavenly, all of it. I am so happy about your coming back, trust we have not rushed you. O- I do long to talk!

HILDA ALDINGTON
HÔTEL DE LA PAIX
LAUSANNE

Friday

June 30

FIDO, dear,

Bless you and thank you a thousand times for this JUNE and
for the July to come and all the past, since that memorable
July 17, 1918.

I enclose letters; do not return for the moment, I mean, keep
till we meet. I don't think I will attempt the trip on Sunday and
I write this to explain. I will hope to see you to-morrow, that is
Saturday, July I. I will go upstairs but if it is very hot, I
will order my tea as I may slip off after a little chat with
them. I will be so glad to come but I have been simply
dripping and come back to a complete change, as per Lugano.
I love it, but think this Sunday, I will stay here, as I have so
many letters to write.

I do love Norman's. I must write him and I will try to write
Kenneth as his letter made me laf and laf and LLA: F :
Forgive this untidy scrawl. I meant to write you a sort of
documentaire of thanks and blessings but surely you
understand all that ???? O, how funny it all is. I am
simply knocked-out by the invite, me at long last, as
Mrs. H.D.A; I mean the Mrs. Hilda Doo-little A. makes me feel
that I really am Henretta. Dear people-yours and mine and
hers! I am sure they all bless you and bless you!
Forgive this so inadequate little note,

My best to Bear - till Wednesday!

July 9 1950
---

Fido dear,

Just to return the enclosed and to say that I hope to post on
the HOLIDAY that Miss M. might like later, also your own
mag; I enjoyed it so much, the article is most helpful. I also
enclose the Creekmore folder that J.V.S. sent. Will you
just put it on my shelf. I was so sad to view my string-bag
with these mag's and some books I was bringing back, all waiting for
me, even a pencil-reminder to stop at desk to tell that I was out
for lunch. But I am glad I did stay, tummy is O.K.; but I
will be happier and more in the mood, on Wed. next. Bless you! How
can I begin - now that July is on us, the whole month is a reminder
and a sanctuary. I went up to Mon Repos this morning and
remembered out little walks there. It is just a year this week, 13th,
I think, that I went up alone to Montagnola and contacted the
Maestro. O - the THINGS to thank you for! Those
fairy-tales of H.H. way back at the Alexandria, winter 1946-47;
I went down that way on my return this morning just to
"remember". From the sublime to the - nightie! I have found
the new one so satisfactory to wash, it is again hanging in
the bath-room and I indulge in the almond or the oleander-rose
one. I think I can even wash one of those. I will try, one
home-wash perhaps and the second to the laundry. ( I thank
for the blessed dictionary; I just consulted it for "endulge",
as per above.) What else? I cannot begin nor end. This
can never be my July letter but just to explain how sad I was,
but I will be so happy on Wed., only please let me know if you change
your plans. Bless you, BLESS you. For 32 heavenly
sheltered years!

Eternal love,
gratified, devotion -
CAT.

July 14

Fido dear,
bless you for everything. I shall be thinking of you
especially on Sunday, with all grateful memories for the
bounty and blessing that your dear people brought her and brought
us, just by having YOU.

My room is a
sanctuary with the memory of those bees that buzzed among the
lavender and the rose-balm when I broke the sprays.

How can I thank you ? I will look forward to
Monday, you will verify again when you ring me. Please
thank Bear for the little talk or/and talks. I send you,
please the three pictures. I have kept the two of them
at the door of the cottage. If you want others, ask Bear
to exchange. I thought it would be nice and symbolical if you
took her in your pocket to Cornwall and Bryher. Also, I
thought Doris might be interested. I am sure Bear will exchange.

In any case, Valentine S. said he was sending some more, and I
must write and thank you now I can truly say that I share them with
Bryher. They ARE funny and I hope Bear will not loose the
tea-cup for I must have an occasional look at it. But please,
please share these with me - if you just can NOT, then add them to
the Bear-collection.

Oh this has all been such a
joke and such a surprise, I mean "Little Ponds." It does cross
the line, anyway, whatever we feel about it and leaves me in my
gay old age, free from certain inevitable anxieties. I have
also plunged down to Place Central to located the S bus stop
that runs to S. Sulpice. I have long tried to get there. I will
probably say that and the exploration along that line until you
go. I also find at the desk that there is a pleasant boat to
Evian, but I don't trust it somehow; I will make sure before
embarking, again, the trip can wait and give me a new vista to

fill the gap. No special news in.
I go over
books and clothes; I found Romeo quite enchanting with his
mule and I find our old friend Louis Gibbons( she called at
Herbert, centuries ago) mentioned in another essay
foot-note. I will bring the book on Monday.

This just with endless, endless love and particular,
overwhelming thanks and gratitude to you and yours for the
arrival of Pup at "little Ponds."

Bless you and thank you, dear
Fido, for the exquisite cyclamen;
it came just before lunch and
it goes on and on, reminding me of
all the other ember-flowers you

have given me; the first blaze was
one you brought to St. Faith's
out at Ealing, April 1919 - or it
might have been before the advent
of ... all that and a ill that and now,
to continue the generations and the
mystery, here is Valentine on the
way, herself-himself owing you all!

Love - CAT.

JULY 17

1950

Dear, dear Fido,

The beautiful Bonnard Paisley is spread out where I can see it.

It is perfect and will grow and grown on me. I wish I
had had embroidered in each one you have given, the date and the
occassion. Each is a field of blessing, I go over them and
over them and "rotate", in the best ECK manner. What a charming
letter from Robert. I mmclose and do thank you also Oonagh.

This VERY SECOND, my cake is slid in the door. Thank you
for offer of yours. Remember, it is sacred holy-rite, to deal
out a crumb here and a crumb there, even if literally only a
crumb. I am sure everyone will be amused, but please do that. I
feel I should send mine over with you too, perhaps I will have it
and post to someone , later. It is TOO MUCH. I thank you
every hour of the day, for your coming to Bosigran, that July
day. It is all photographed there in my mind's eye, forever.

I am picking over my two last bunches and weeding them
out; I did not throw away the dried bits, as I usually do, as they
are so fragrant, almost fit for pot-pourri; I will save the lavender
stalks anyway. The new bunch is gala, with seven roses and some
buds, the pinks and the sprays of snap-dragon, yellow
diasies and that sort of lemon-verbena-mint!

I have put the bank letter in my pass-port case, so as to
keep it safe and I will see to it at once, and stir up the others
if the B book is not soon, in order again. O- bless you, for
Switzerland and for LIFE simply!

Dedicated
Love

CAT.

And Mostkindly ... my heart's blessing!

JULY 17

1950

Fido dear,
This is my bless-you-for-all-the-years letter to you. I am
seeing you in an hour so will try to say something, but it
is never possible. Just that DAY changed the course of my life,
of Perdita's and I might almost say, of history- my feelings
are so strong, so vivid about it all.
I don't want you
to use up precious time writing to me, but everything you note
is of the greatest value. I will dig myself into old MSS and
await your return. I know I will be happy and am still in a sort
of trance-state of wonder at all the old, civilized and
civilizing forces at work here. Another party to-day and
a hay-stack of white gladiolus on the center drawing-room table
makes of think of- I don't know what. Luxury and repose and
distinction and strength ... not flower-words, but
gladiolus always has a certain uprightness and vigour, a little
unfamiliar but there stark and sweet and SWISS. Like a
glory of more familiar Annunciation lilies on the table of
the Minerva upstairs "parlour" that I will never forget. And
I still have my two bunches from your Garden, from my
Thursday visit. There is NOTHING to say, but bless you
and a very, very happy stay there, Cornwall and Scillies and
Provence, if you get there!

Rita sent out MSS of carbon Sword, backed by two of the
old ship-set of wooden mats that I once got you at the
Medici shop. I was rather surprised ... but I have found them
invaluable as MSS backers, when I am reading and sorting. So, if
not too much trouble and the remaining four ship-mats are still
there, perhaps later, I could have them. They can come with tools
or anything- or not at all. They have probably disappeared. I do not
want the others, those dim shells- just the ships, as I
associate them with tea and talks we had there.

I am in no hurry for any BEARS, but there is a string of cornelians you got me in Egypt that I don't want lost, and there are several sets of strung or half-strung amber and the near-amber, all of white I value because of the trip there and all associations and your lovely thought of me, buying a second amber when the first near-amber would not pick up paper-scrap, as per tradition! The second lot DID - but why ( I always wonder) should I have had both ' I have the tiny cat-and-kitten out here in a special box hidden away, along with one of the comb-clasps that I treasure and wear en grand tenue, during the winter!

I will go on, taking your precious time with a complete inventory so must really stop, Fido.

Bless you- thank you- I am off to greet you NOW!

Desiree

CAT.

July 19

Fido dear,
This is only my second letter to you to England; I was about to
write again there, but instead tried to thank you at Kenwin. I
just got back to find the books. Thank you so much. They were
beautifully packed up, and I will take care of them and the three
papers and any more than may come. Bless you. I went to the
bank on the way back and got a great bundle of rather gay
French notes, 1600 frs. for the note of 20 Swiss that I handed in.
I won't spend that, but it is fun to have "foreign"
money again, and I will think of you if and when I get fin.
Evian. O dear, O dear. What vistas of memories that station
brings in perspective. Do let me meet you, if indicated on
your return.
Cornwall too— give them my
love and think of me and July 1919. I will never forget that
visit, the palm-trees, the coral flowers, the mesan ... you must finish
that, growing like water-lilies from the walls, the very fat,
very, very white and huge gulls on the stone-roofs and ledges, your
saying it was like Sweeden in bits and my being sure it WAS
the ISLES OF GREECE. The Sappho, by the way, is classic
reconstruction, written in Rhodes 1947. It looks very readable.
It looks as if, at long last, I were really going to plunge
into mature Yeats. The print is so beautiful, and the whole just a
little off my beat, and so restful. His technique is flawless;
they said that about him always. Well, Bryher ... even
Uncle Sampson appeals, and all these will be refreshers, in one
way and another.

Do not worry about the Hannah Closs; you simply asked me to
write it. It is : TRISTRAN, A Tale of Cornwall and Brittany;
Andrew Dakers Ltd. And a note to the effect that it is
out of stock. You have opened such doors to me. I go over
stories, papers, books, remembering.

July 20

Fido dear,
I enclose this charming letter from Pup, I feel it is as usual, to
us both. I had with the same post, a letter from Kenneth. I will
send it later. I want to quote some of it - not all - to
Perdita. This for your own ear : " Cecil G. is very well and I
am fond of him. Portly of course, but I rather feel that becomes
him. He has now in tow a Danish primadonna who has an
exquisite dramatic soprano ... but can't get a job. So she mamasages
fat old dames - she herself is very pretty in a too-blonde
way - a fraction tarty. But at least- a cushion for
Don Cecilio."
I will send the whole later, news of
garden, returned MSS etc. etc.
Also, had two printed
articles from Norman, Hawthorne and Longfellow, so we are not
forgotten- and some more mags from Texas. Chiefly, however, your
card came from Geneva, a few hours after I said good-bye to you
at the station, quite wonderful, and the third of the marvelous
Garden series that Hattie sent you. Bless you, Fido, for these
continual reminders of love. I had too, a photograph with
one of his articles from the Magister, so life seems very full and
buzzing, here in my tower-room and shelter. I had a ring
from Bear last night, about 8.15, just a nice time, after dinner in
my room. He seemed as per usual, gave messages and I assured
him that I would be glad to come over if in extremis, at any
time- and I was sure that Bryher would be so happy to get back. In
fact, I do think so- but send you all my will and wishes for a
most happy time. O, dear Fido, such memories, but I am
so "concentrated" in a way, though I do feel MSS rather a
Tower, but I still go on, really glad to harvest the years, when
so much was done to make my writing possible. Now I am
satisfied, and I really can sort and correct, with a

new consciousness of something accomplished. I think
of N.Y., would hate to be left behind, but for me, it really is
a pretty big adventure. However, there is time for all that.

It came on VERY hot again, yesterday but now is coolish with
slight breeze but I guess, it is hotting up for the afternoon.

Too hot, to risk Evian thought I am all a-gog now, to
spend some of my huge wad of French francs.

Greet them there, please. I do hope this reaches you before
you leave for Bryher. Anyway, I will be writing soon again. I
just wanted this enclosed to reach you.

CAT.

July 22

HILDA ALDINGTON

HÔTEL DE LA PAIX
LAUSANNE

Fido dear,

Your second letter from London, this morning; thank you so
much. I have just written Mrs. Ash, how good on you to
include me in the flowers. I also sent Miss Voules a
card, of "late" roses, as I called it. I must get you to help me
fill out my birthday-book, on your return. This ribbon is
chewy and chewing, but I must write this first, in case I just
can't manage the new one. Thank you for all stamps, I must
really see to them but it is quite an undertaking, they have
accumulated to such an extent. But they are fun and it is good of
you to send them. I have all the others you brought, have looked
them over but not yet sorted them out properly. London sounds
dreadful, but I realize that you are busy and happy too, I hope,
seeing people. I heard from Bear yesterday, saying he was just off
to Geneva to meet Melitta; he sounded none too cheerful, but it was
nice to hear his voice and to get your message. I did manage to
get the II.30 boat, such a beautiful trip over to Evian. I walked
round the town, it was almost 12, when we arrived. It was lovely
to see hardly any cars and those few driven at a snail-pace.
I found an old market, reminiscent of my first glimpse of France,
Havre ... then a church and I went in as there was organ-music or
practice.

Looked over outside of Casino, it looked
remarkably gay with many bright umbrellas and garden ... but
I did not want to be caught for a huge fee, as I was at
Campione for a cup of coffee; went on round the back, looking
for a small lunch-place but made the detour and as I got back,
found it was nearly I. As there is return boat at 1.05, I
had the bright idea of waiting and having lunch on boat. This I did, and
it was wonderful, just a huge omblette, very good roll and an orange-
juice. Got back, then, soon after 1.30 but I waited on the
quay in the shade, fed some birds, had an early tea at Angletterre and

back; a most satisfactory time altogether. But I can find no
other short trips, the little tour of the lake takes well over
two hours, or as I make out, to go and return 4. However, I am
struggling with the time-table, it may be it is only 8 hours. All the
longer trips, take 4 or over 4 hours, to come and go. It is too
much.
I am keeping my bride-cake till you come back. I
suppose it will keep? If I once open, I feel it will

evaporate.

in the Isles!

give messages and love.

It is very, very HOT!

So much love; I hope this reaches you

(AT.)

Sunday July 23

I feel very triumphant, as I have done
the new ribbon myself; thank you again, for
all news. It is really almost too-cool,
we had some rain after an unprecedented
heat, the last three days. It is over-cast
and I could weep for joy at the soft
grey mist over the lake, for a change. The
Lambs think they will get to Geneva, early in
August! I don't know quite WHAT I will do.
Card from Miss Woolford, happy at Thunersee.

July 24

HILDA ALDINGTON

HÔTEL DE LA PAIX

LAUSANNE

Fido dear,
This is to thank you for two letters in, this morning, and the
return of Perdita's. Chiefty, I want to tell you at once,
I had a ring from the Bank Cantonal, this morning to ask why I
had not turned up. I explained I was waiting for Livret B. I
went in however, with my pass-port; they were wonderful to me.
I was asked to wait, waited about 20 minutes. Then, a most
august figure appeared, bearing my pass-port. It was one of
the Managers or the Manager. He apologized for keeping me
waiting, said he had telephoned to Berne, Zurich - both, I think-
anyway, said he did not need the Livret, that the change was XXX
made. So that is all in order. I am so glad and so deeply
grateful to you for it all. That can hardly be expressed.
I wrote you one letter and one card to Scilly, just on the
chance. Now, you say there are mail deliveries, so I just send this
in a hurry. I have been deep in Eleanor. I must say I am
fascinated. I read very carefully, but do not look up the
notes. I think the record is wonderfully put-together, but I
am doing the Jerusalem, Acre section, which is all
record. I dare say I will find plenty to carp at, but am so
enchanted that I am not skipping, though beginning very near two-thirds
through. I am happy about your plans. You said, I think, you
had some more of that hand-lotion. Do not bring if you take the
French tour, but you did say something about it when you gave me
the first. It is almost gone and has been a blessing in the heat. I
was reduced to the Vasenol powder, I have always the foot but
the other as well, as had a sort of old-time prickley-heat, as
they called it when we were children. The powder cabled it and
calmed. I have the packets of both Vasenols; it is good to know
of these things. Letter from George, in ecstacy over your
goodness to him. Also from Cousin Hattie, but I will keep till

later. It is clear as a bell and a slight breeze but
hot in the sun. Dear, dear Fido. I do think of you and those
mesams; I looked up in the famous dict; they are from Africa,
it says originally. I won't copy out now, but maybe later ...
I loved them so on the walls and the few we saw at Capri, near
the Solitario (0 shades of Don C! ) reminded me of
Scilly. We have some of the coral-plants here now, in the
little park borders, all are Scilly to me. We have 12, this
morning tiny water-lilies, some in half-bud, so charming in the
little moon-pond under my window. They too remind me of
Doris's stone-basin; I think I first saw these tiny ones, there.
Bless you Fido, and love to BRYHER and greet all. Scilly does
sound very up-to-the-minute. We lived there, in an Homeric
epos!

No squeak from Kenwin; I will report when I do hear!

July 25

I heard at last from La Tour; all seems
in order though M. is reported having been
very air-sick and resting, so no plan is
yet made for their coming here. It was
nice to be in touch again, we spoke of our
letters and I gave all latest news, this
end.

I am SUNK in Aquitaine. I can
not thank you enough. I have begun at the
very beginning and go over it, inch by inch. I
am excited to find both Abelard and a Becket,
in the story. Lovely hot sun, with cool
wind.

July 26

Fido dear,

A line to greet you in Cornwall. I spent the whole morning writing Norman, to thank him for the folders he sent, Hawthorne and Londfellow. Then, I finally got my Cluny mat back from Chez-Soi, and I must say, they have made a lovely job of it.

The lined it with soft, dim bege-brown; the sticthing comes up better for the stretching, I should have thought it would have jerked or pulled it in parts. I must take that now to insure, dear, register. I told you Bear rang; he seemed as usual, but said M. had been very badly air-sick and that she was resting, so I won't make any effort to contact them, this or the other end, for the moment. It is very HOT. I am absolutely enchanted with Eleanor; but my pickings have been war and journeys and mostly chronicled. I do thank you.

Bear sent Times, I will hold on to these things and we can pick them over on your return. Nothing in from you, the last days.

Do take care of yourself. Forgive this short letter, I want to get it out with Pup's Cluny mat. I got some pinks in the market; I got your stockings but they were only one franc; I think you left four with me. A crowd in, to-day for lunch, odd un-placables, I mean, they aren't Mrs. Ash nor yet Miss Butler -ccords and crowds, all women in blue or figured cotton frocks.

I had tea on Mutrux roof yesterday, it was delightful, really "away" somewhere. It was hot, hot but slight ripples of breeze in, upon and through the tent-roof. I missed you, will hope to see you before too long again, but do want you to profit and see all you can, also in France. I long for a report, am so drawn to the old castles, cathedrals and walled towns of my romance.

Bless you, bless you

Greet them all!

July 27

A letter and two wonderful cards, with all
news of the Isles. Thank you so much. We
had a terrific old-time thunder-storm in the
night and this morning; it was wonderful to
hear the swish of rain; now, sun is out
again. I had a most happy time on Mutrux
roof, yesterday, blazing hot; I thought of you.
The flowers are real tapestry-pieces, I
walked round, "matching the wools." I had
letter from May B. sent on from Kenwin and
papers, I wrote. I have not heard direct again.

July 28

Fido dear,

Just a line, the last to Cornwall. I had ring from Bear, this
morning; he wanted to know best address for you. I told him
what you last wrote me; thank you for the last letter and card
enclosed. Bear seemed well, asked me over but I said it was
too hot to plan, he also said they didn't want to plan anything
till next week. So we drift along; he said M. was better and
resting. It was nice to hear his voice again. I want to get
some Cluny wool from Pully but don't know if I will atempt it this
week-end, Bear said he thought Elsie was going over for the
week-end. I sent Miss Butler, as her entheusiasm is so
refreshing. I don't know what to tell her about Pup's gloves; I do
hope there is not exorbitant duty on my mat. But is is off
now, anyhow. Only complaint as to cards of invitation, so
far, is as from Birdie, via Hattie. I sent Birdie a/card,
saying I expected a batch of the wedding-cards to post this end,
but they never arrived, while is too true. So in case, of any
future, possible question, will you remember this. I told Mrs.
Galbreath the same, in fact, I could have "done" with the extras,
but did not want to worry Pup at that time. There is
a huge fête Venetienne for this Saturday, I presume as
toward August Ist. Children are beginning to appear with their
flags, such pretty lanterns etc. in the windows. I was so
glad you were all with me at Lugano, last first. I am getting
a regular drug-addict feeling for Mutrux roof; it is cooler there
now than in the Theatre Café garden. The flowers get brighter
and brighter, unbelievable crimsons, scarlets, purples, mauves, red,
pink, burnt-umber and cinammon that just somehow do not clash!
My love to all there. I am happy with books, specially the
Eleanor or as in legend, Alia-Anor!