[Stamford House, Chipping Campden]
I fell in with Mark Green1 at the station, and he travelled with me as far as Oxford. I should have preferred to be alone, naturally; but it was an opportunity for talking to him alone, about ecclesiastical personalities, books etc. and was probably a good thing. I suggested that he could try to see me at Russell Square in [if] he was ever in London.
I arrived at Paddington punctually, with my bags safely in the van, and my new happiness safely in my heart. OnCheetham, Revd Ericunfolds tale of French holiday;d7 arriving at Emperor’s Gate, I was immediately faced by Cheetham, who insisted on helping me up with my bags, and stopped for nearly an hour talking about his summer and about the future. He took Elizabeth and Miss Bingham to Paris, and sent them to the Folies Bergères; then went off to Cannes to have a bit of time by himself, but after one night was brought back by the alarming news. I then spent some time with the verger, signing cheques etc., lunched alone at the club, investigated presents, and am not yet satisfied, but I have another idea of my own which I may pursue in the morning. I went to the bank and ordered some American money at 4.35, which I shall get in the morning and post to you by registered post, so as to be on the safe side. I also bought a portable wireless set for myself, so that I shall get the news as soon as you do. Found a committee meeting in progress, but only the usual routine business. AEliot, Henry Ware, Jr. (TSE's brother)explains operation on ears;e3 good many letters waiting for me, but none very important, exceptSheffield, Ada Eliot (TSE's sister)reassures TSE about Henry's ears;g7 the welcome news from Henry and Ada separately that Henry’s ears only need what is a minor operation. Those who write from America were still writing before the crisis: I shall try to write to Ada and Henry first thing in the morning. And the most important thing is that it really seems likely that our weekend will not be interfered with.2 And I am not writing to tell you anything, except that I am your
1.Not identified; but possibly the Revd Mark Green (1918–2009), Anglican priest educated at Lincoln College, Oxford, who was ordained and given a curacy in Gloucester in 1940. After wartime service as Senior Chaplain to the Guards Division, for which he was awarded the MC, he became vicar of St John’s, Newland, Hull; Bishop of Aston, 1972–83.
2.SeeHale, Emilyrelationship with TSE;w9but for VHE would be marriage;f5n TheresaEliot, Theresa Garrett (TSE's sister-in-law)remembers TSE's intention to marry EH;a4n EliotEliot, Vivien (TSE's first wife, née Haigh-Wood)her death;f3and Theresa on TSE remarrying;a1n to Valerie Eliot, 1 Jan. 1969: ‘Another thing I might not have told you about is that in, I think, 1943, or 4, Henry had to have an operation on goitre and I was dreading it so I wrote Tom asking him to come over. We received his reply when we were up in Dublin – Henry read it first, turned it over to me – I gave it back to him, whereupon he took out a match, lighted it and burned the letter.
‘Tom wrote he couldn’t come over and that Emily was in England and that if Vivienne died he and Emily would be married.
‘FrankMorley, Frank Vigorremembers EH taking priority;i6n Morley told us that Tom refused their invitations when Emily was in England, or always said he’d have to see if Emily had plans before he could go to see them. Christina said she pointedly didn’t mention Tom to E. (I believe Emily went to see them.)
‘I have never told anyone about the letter, unless I told Eleanor, but I think I didn’t tell her’ (EVE).
4.RevdCheetham, Revd Eric Eric Cheetham (1892–1957): vicar of St Stephen’s Church, Gloucester Road, London, 1929–56 – ‘a fine ecclesiastical showman’, as E. W. F. Tomlin dubbed him. TSE’s landlord and friend at presbytery-houses in S. Kensington, 1934–9. See Letters 7, 34–8.
3.HenryEliot, Henry Ware, Jr. (TSE's brother) Ware Eliot (1879–1947), TSE’s older brother: 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.AdaSheffield, Ada Eliot (TSE's sister) Eliot Sheffield (1869–1943), eldest of the seven Eliot children; author of The Social Case History: Its Construction and Content (1920) and Social Insight in Case Situations (1937): see Biographical Register.