[22 Paradise Rd., Northampton, Mass.]
IHale, Emilybirthdays, presents and love-tokens;w2war means no flowers;e3 hope that my brief wire reached you to-day, because, owing to the restrictions on the export of capital, I did not, for the first time, attempt to cable any flowers. May your birthday have been none the less blessed! And I hope, passed, on a fine day, with serenity and such contentment as is possible.
MyEnglandLondon;h1in wartime;d4 daily routine is much the same as ever. Some stations are temporarily closed, but not mine, so I get from one end of town to the other more quickly than before. I lunch at my club, and proceed to Russell Square afterwards as usual. I am developing owl eyes, and once I have traversed a particular route in the dark can do it again; but during the part of the month in which there is a moon, there is no difficulty at all. I carry a torch or two, but hardly use it except for identifying my latch key; and I have a luminous disc to wear on my lapel. I dine out two, or three nights a week, as before. So far, there is no rationing of anything. BothOld Possum’s Book of Practical Catssent to EH;c8 myBoutwood Lectures (afterwards The Idea of a Christian Society)sent to EH;b3 books should have reached you before this: the second was published yesterday – I made a mistake in thinking that it was last week. TomorrowSociety of the Sacred Mission, Kelham Hall, NottinghamshireOctober 1939 visit;b9 I go to Kelham: an obligation I feel towards the dear souls that I know there, though not altogether restful. I have thought of you much to-day, and pray for your peace of mind. My dear