[c/o Perkins, 90 Commonwealth Ave., Boston]

Since I last wrote I had two days in bed with a cold, not as severe as usual, because no temperature, just an acute cold in the head with much catarrh. How I caught it I don’t know. It was enough to keep me away from London all the week, because if I am not able to get up by Wednesday it is not worth while going at all. I shall go again tomorrow: anFabers, thefeed TSE;f6 additional reason for not going up last week with a cold was that the Fabers were not to be there, which would have meant going out for my dinner in the evening. Of course I forgot the charwoman’s address (to put her off) and of course the telephone went out of order so that I could not ring up the Fabers to ask, and of course the person who took my telegram to the post office sent it to the wrong address: but I finally got the address I wanted (Rialto Road, Mitcham, pronounced Ry-al-to), I hope in time. Since I have been up, I have been toiling to clear up various long arrears of private correspondence: and, for the first time since I can remember, I think I am at present square; but have probably forgotten some, and I forgot important points in two letters, so I shall have to write again; and anyway, there will be a great accumulation waiting at the office, including answers to some of my letters of last week – such as the headmaster who wanted me to come and talk about Reconstruction, and the other master who sent us his scheme for the foundation of a new kind of public school, etc. IFour Quartetsdeliberations over title;a3 hope that the copies of ‘Little Gidding’ which I sent off to America in November have arrived; forHarcourt, Brace & Co.and Four Quartets;a5 until you have seen that you cannot form any opinion as to the title to be given to the four poems when Harcourt Brace publish them as a book together in the spring. You know I wanted to call it ‘Kensington Quartets’, but nobody I could consult, orMorley, Frank Vigorsuggests 'Night Music' over 'Kensington Quartets';k4 Morley on that side, likes ‘Kensington’. SomeBarrie, Sir James Matthew ('J. M.')Peter Pan;b1 said it suggested Peter Pan,1 others that it suggested shabby genteel respectability, some found it distinctly comic. I still like it, and I say that Kensington is what I choose to make it, and these inconvenient associations in people’s minds only matter for the first few months anyway. I have given way, but I refuse to accept Morley’s suggestion ‘Night Music’ which is too fancy. I want something reserved and demure, with no pretense about it. MorleyMorley, Donaldwants to be a pilot;b7 says his eldest boy is already wanting to join the Canadian Air Force. It is appalling to think that one can begin to be a pilot so young, and that most men are too old at thirty.

The gaps between writing and receiving letters seem longer than ever since you went to Grand Manan, whence came your last letters; it is now a fortnight since Christmas, and I know nothing of your movements since you returned to Boston. I suppose that you saw your doctors at once, and that they have formed some opinion about your improvement, and consequently about what plans you can make for the rest of the winter. My dear, I wish that I knew enough to advise, but very much more that I could help; that at least, I could be near you from time to time, and see you engaged, and a little participate, in the active and useful life you need: though what I most like to think of, is not so much your directing dramatic activities in a girls’ college, as directing and meddling in all the affairs of a village (preferably of course as the lady of the Manor) and taking that kind and helpful interest in everybody’s affairs (especially the lame ducks) which you exercised so beautifully at Campden. The impossible sometimes seems very little to ask.

DidChoice of Kipling's Verse, A;b2 you ever receive the second copy of Kipling which I sent you?