Indeed and I WAS surprised to get your fine letter this morning, the way you were writing unexpected. And indeed it was very welcome. For I had felt that the other evening was something very important for me, apart or rather beyond my appreciation of your discussing freely with me troubles of yours which I know it is very hard (I mean of a kind which) for you to discuss with anyone. It'Literature and the Modern World'reprised in Hull;a3 hasEnglandHull, Yorkshire;g1and 'Literature and the Modern World';a1 been in my head all through the busy rush to Hull and back andTandys, theTSE's Hampton weekends with;a1 through a pleasant quiet weekend.2 I don’t know yet quite what happened to me, it being very intangible, and I need to see it in a longer perspective before I know, but it was something unusually intense and developed; and to get a kind of confirmation from you matters ever so much. What has happened since seems in consequence too unimportant to put on paper, though it may deserve a few moments of description when I see you on Thursday.
Maytravels, trips and plansEH's 1934–5 year in Europe;b4second lunch at L'Escargot;c1 we say 1.30 at 48 Greek Street, Escargot Bienvenu, asNew Theatre, St. Martin's LaneGielgud's Hamlet at;a1 I may take the train which gets me to Kings Cross at 1.03. AndHale, Emilytakes TSE to Gielgud's Hamlet;e1 youtravels, trips and plansEH's 1934–5 year in Europe;b4EH and TSE's November excursions;c2 have got tickets for Hamlet for Monday,3 andHale, Emilytaken to see Stravinsky conducting;e2 IStravinsky, IgorPerséphone;a5 have got tickets for the Stravinsky concert at the Queens Hall on Wednesday: I suggest that we omit the last number so as to get you home early, as I do not want you to start your voyage tired. Meanwhile I am worrying lest this foul weather should give you a cold or start some catarrhal inflammation for one who is not used to this London climate at this time of year, and from that point of view I shall be relieved when you have gone – though remember that Italy can be cold enough in winter, though with more sunshine.
1.TSE misdated this letter as 10 Nov.
2.TSE lectured on ‘Literature and the Modern World’ at University College Hull.
3.The production of Hamlet at the New Theatre, London, starred, and was directed by, John Gielgud. Anthony Quayle was Guildenstern; Jessica Tandy, Ophelia; Jack Hawkins, Horatio; and Alec Guinness doubled as 3rd Player and Osric.