Emily HaleHavens, Lorraine;a1 toDorset Players, The;a5 Lorraine Havens1
… His visit here was a sort of public nightmare of events – hisEliot, Henry Ware, Jr. (TSE's brother)death;l5 only brother died soon after he arrived – and from that strain he had spent himself thro’ lectures and readings plus the three commencements when he received honorary degrees … IHale, Emilyrelationship with TSE;w9EH reflects on;g4 am going to tell you, dear friend, that what I confided to you long ago of a mutual affection he and I have had for each other has come to a strange impasse whether permanent or not, I do not know. Tom’sEliot, Vivien (TSE's first wife, née Haigh-Wood)her death;f3EH reflects on;a5 wife died last winter very suddenly. I supposed he would then feel free to marry me as I believed he always intended to do. But such proves not to be the case. We met privately two or three times to try to sift the situation as thoroughly as possible – he loves me – I believe that wholly – but apparently not in the way usual to men less gifted i.e. with complete love thro’ a married relationship. I have not completely given up hope that he may yet recover from this – to me – abnormal reaction, but on the other hand I cannot allow myself to hold on to anything so delicately uncertain.
IHale, Emilyas teacher;w1resignation from Concord Academy;d9 am very much at a loose end at present, havingConcord Academy, MassachusettsEH resigns position at;a5 resigned from the Academy in Concord, and given up the rented house. I want dreadfully to have some little place of my own – and be free to follow my interests as I lead them or they lead me. I have even thought of trying for dramatic work seriously as I love it so and know I can do it. I am here acting with a small summer group as I did last year – had one excellent part and another promised which has had to be given up for another production … IHavens, Paul;b3 value your and Paul’s friendship so very much. Perhaps you will have a brilliant idea as to what I can do another year. Love to Paul and yourself in full measure –
1.Letter quoted in Lyndall Gordon, The Imperfect Life of T. S. Eliot (revised edn 2012), 405–6.
3.HenryEliot, Henry Ware, Jr. (TSE's brother) Ware Eliot (1879–1947), TSE’s older brother: see Biographical Register.