[No surviving envelope]
I am writing again tonight, simply, I suppose, because I shall not be able to write again before you return on Wednesday, and that is a week ahead. Tomorrowtravels, trips and plansTSE's 1935 tour of Scotland;b8TSE's itinerary;a4 night we leave for Scotland – MorleyMorley, Frank Vigoron TSE's 1935 tour of Scotland;d8, DonaldBrace, Donaldon TSE's 1935 tour of Scotland;a6 BraceBlake, Georgeand TSE's 1935 tour of Scotland;a8 and myself meet George Blake in Glasgow and motor to Inverness – then to John o’ Groats and back, and return by train from Glasgow on Sunday night. Youtravels, trips and plansEH's 1934–5 year in Europe;b4;d6 leave on Wednesday morning, I presume – if I find no letter from you by Monday morning I shall wire to ask when you arrive: and I shall have to spend Tuesday and Wednesday morning trying to tidy up so that the rooms may be acceptable to you. I shall also try to get tickets for Sanders of the River.1 And O yes, I have kept forgetting to ask whether you have a practical scent spray, which is the only economical way to make the most of one’s scent – you won’t have time to answer, but my putting the question on paper will remind me to ask it again. ISt. Stephen's Church, Gloucester Roadvestry goings-on;a2 am very stupid, having spent the morning winding up the vestry business of Easter, and signing cheques; andPearce, Stella Mayshows TSE Canterbury costumes;a2 this afternoon Miss Stella Mary Pearce, the designer of costumes, called on me to show me her sketches for Canterbury; andBrowne, Elliott Martin1935 Canterbury Murder in the Cathedral;a5goes silent;a5 she doesn’t know where Martin Browne is, and neither do I, and until I hear from him I can’t send my text to press. I went to the Army and Navy Stores this evening to get a rucksack for Scotland, anddogsKerry Blue;c3at Army and Navy stores;a2 saw such a lovely Kerry Blue, pedigree, while waiting for Kennerley2 to enquire about a supply of waterfleas to eat up the weed in Morley’s water-garden. I am looking forward so eagerly to seeing you, and hope I shall be able to talk more intelligently than I have been writing.
I hope the seas will be calm.
IPerkins, Dr John Carroll (EH's uncle);b7 enclose a charming note from your uncle; but why should he say that it was good of me to come to see them (and you)? And why should they be grateful for my reading? It makes me embarrassed.
INSTRUCTIONS9 Grenville Place, LondonEH's sojourns at;b2.
Bathroom.—The bolt is tricky. After locking yourself in, try the door, to make sure that you are locked in.
Remember never to run hot water and cold water at the same time.
On the top of the white hanging cupboard you will find my soap, and (if I remember to get it) a new box of my bath powder. The wooden nailbrush is not for nails; I use it to scrub the bath with. The bone nailbrush is my nail brush. The loofas are mine too.
Towels on bathroom door should be yours, unless you find towels in your rooms.
I hope the bathroom will not strike you as too foul.
Bedroom. —Hot water bottle should be in bed. There should be ½ pint of milk and saucepan to hear [sic] it in to drink at bedtime. Medicines for colds in hanging cupboard. Cigarettessmokingbedside cigarettes;b2 beside bed. I recommend your leaving double window shut and leaving door open to sitting room and opening window in sitting room. When you heat milk be careful not to turn on heating stove as well as cooking ring. Whiskyalcoholwhisky as medicine;b1 is good for colds and toothache. I haven['] a cold and I haven[']t any whisky, but I have some toothache, so if I should rush out and get some whisky I would leave it in bottom of Universal Valet under coats. Matches on shelf and handkerchiefs in drawer of Universal Valet.
Sitting Room.—Light gas fire on entering. There are more shillings for meter in little tiny pot on mantelpiece. Here are a few books which you may take, ignore or ask me to bring later. Or any books.
Here is also a little red box containing drawing pins. You are to write a note to Elizabeth saying when you want your baths and breakfast, and she will draw first bath. Pin note on outside of outer door. I told her you would probably have breakfast together in sitting room.
Leave latchkey on table or give to Elizabeth or Mary on giving up possession.
Your occupation of these rooms, on this and any future occasion, is on the understanding that you do not deface, detain abstract or in any way tamper with any of the photographs in the bedroom.
NOW READ NEXT SHEET …
CORRECTIONS.
There is a little whisky after all. It is in the medicine cupboard in the bedroom. A dash of it in hot milk is very convenient.
The new box of bath powder is not in the bathroom, because an old lady in a mob cap has just taken possession there. It is on the Universal Valet in bedroom near clock.
DoMcPherrin, Jeanetteoffered rare editions of Commerce;b8 you think J.McP. would care to have these two copies of ‘Commerce’ inscribed? They contain translations of two of my poems, and are now pretty scarce, I imagine. If not, don’t mention them to her. Small gift for jour de fete.
1.Sanders of the River (1935), directed by the Hungarian-British director Zoltán Korda, starred Leslie Banks and the American singer and actor Paul Robeson – who subsequently disavowed the film because of its misrepresentation of colonial Nigeria. The young student Jomo Kenyatta, future President and Prime Minister of Kenya, was an extra (‘Tribal Leader’).
2.MorleyKennerley, Morley Kennerley (1902–85), an American director of F&F.
10.GeorgeBlake, George Blake (1893–1961), novelist, journalist, publisher: see Biographical Register.
6.DonaldBrace, Donald Brace (1881–1955), publisher; co-founder of Harcourt, Brace: see Biographical Register.
4.E. MartinBrowne, Elliott Martin Browne (1900–80), English director and producer, was to direct the first production of Murder in the Cathedral: see Biographical Register.
2.MorleyKennerley, Morley Kennerley (1902–85), an American director of F&F.
2.JeanetteMcPherrin, Jeanette McPherrin (1911–92), postgraduate student at Scripps College; friend of EH: see Biographical Register.
4.FrankMorley, Frank Vigor Vigor Morley (1899–1980), American publisher and author; a founding editor of F&F, 1929–39: see Biographical Register.
2.StellaPearce, Stella May Mary Pearce (1901–2001), fashion designer and dress historian: see Biographical Register.
3.DrPerkins, Dr John Carroll (EH's uncle) John Carroll Perkins (1862–1950), Minister of King’s Chapel, Boston: see Biographical Register.