[Grace Toll Hall, Scripps College, Claremont]

I intended to write this morning, as it was my Saturday to be director in charge at the office, butStewart, Charlesand TSE play detective;a1 Stewart turned up too, and we spent some time in consultation. TheFaber and Faber (F&F)robbed;b6 cashbox, without [sc. with] some forty pounds in it, was stolen last week; this morning Stewart had to interview a Detective Inspector, and some one came in with information. A lad in the office is suspected. These events are always distressing. The boy had excellent prospects, and was considered most promising, but he had got into debt. Of course, our suspicions may be wrong; but the boy has already tried to throw suspicion on another whom there seem[s] no reason to suspect, which is much against him.

My difficulty in writing at present is not due to hearing from you so briefly and at such long intervals, but due to uncertainty about your own attitude, views and feelings. I am sure that you must understand my being in an unsettled state for this reason; and being unable to expand or chatter as I have done. I hope you will not try to spare my feelings – frankness is more merciful in the long run; and if there are or have been misunderstandings I should like them to be cleared up, whatever else happens. I do not like to think that you may just fade away without anything being spoken out.

I do not expect to hear from you till towards the end of the month in any case. You will want your holiday in Seattle without any such worries, and on your return you will – will have had your hands very full no doubt for the first week of term. At present I am still worried about the strain on your health, and the possibility of a serious breakdown if you are obliged to continue long in your present life. And this is about all that seems worth saying at the moment.