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Collingsbourne, Addlestone, Surrey. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter; is very glad he was pleased with the play ["Meleager"], which was 'great fun' to act, particularly the second act. Practice of 'actual performance' would benefit the final scene, which needs to go as 'smoothly as possible' to have its full effect. Also thanks Trevelyan for the book; did not know he had 'made so many incursions in the dramatic field'. Hopes Trevelyan will get some rest during his travels abroad, and that his cold and cough are better by now. Adds a postscript saying his own ballet will 'for better of for worse!' be 'shown to the world in the "London Mercury"'.

Kennet House, Harrow on the Hill [on headed notepaper for 2 High Street, Harrow on the Hill]. - Thanks Trevelyan for his 'very handsome Christmas present [his "Collected Works"]: will add it to the books at his bed-side and looks forward to 'making new and renewing old acquaintances'. Was 'such fun' to visit the Shiffolds after 'so many years'; was 'delighted' to find them all at home; such 'rash experiments of unpredicted calls' are not always so successful. Hopes to visit again, but this will not be in term-time [at Harrow]; they are 'much imprisoned by black-outs and ARP [air raid precautions]. Will escape to do a ten-minutes broadcast [on the BBC Home Service] on 30 January, 'very familiar Wordsworth'. Sends greetings to Mrs Trevelyan and Mr and Mrs Sturge Moore. Adds postscript asking whether Trevelyan would be interested in the article about [Paul Cairn?] Vellacott in this week's "Harrovian", written by the Housemaster of the Grove [Leonard Henry], a 'historian like his subject'; will send a copy if so.

Boar's Hill, Oxford. - Thanks Trevelyan for the book and ;kind letter'; is very sorry about her 'stupid mistakes', and has 'tormented' her father by 're-composing' parts of his work; the trouble is that when acting there is no time for hesitation. Her father has given a lecture on [William] Blake in their theatre; they performed "The death of Abel" ["The Ghost of Abel"], and Mr [Ronald?] Watkins was a 'fine Jehovah in purple & gold, up in the balcony'. Was fun making the body of Abel: they used the 'bust of Dante' for a head. Describes Satan's appearance. Has been cutting linocuts for Christmas cards. Her father today read his new poem on "The Wanderer [of Liverpool]" to two men who sailed on the ship; they were 'very nice people and a mine of adventure stories'. Thinks Trevelyan's play could be acted 'without much alteration', but the 'actors would be a trouble!'.

27 Gledhow Gardens, London SW. - Will go to the premiere of [Trevelyan's] "Meleager" and [Sturge Moore's] "Medea" with [Austin?] Smyth and Maisie Marshall, a classical scholar, costume and set designer who 'clothes the Beecham Opera'. If Trevelyan, Bessie and Julian are free beforehand, he invites them to dine. Hopes Ronny Watkins won't send them home to commit suicide 'as he did the poor old woman' by reciting miserable poetry. He and Smyth saw the "Bacchae" [the Cambridge Greek Play] and enjoyed it very much; he congratulates Trevelyan for his nephew's part in it.

The British Broadcasting Corporation, Broadcasting House, London, W.1. - Has received Forster's card about Elizabeth Trevelyan: her wish to read prose is difficult, as the September audition is dedicated to poetry, there have been no prose readings in the programme for a long time and no more are planned as far as he knows. Clinton-Baddeley abridged a few Dickens novels about a year ago, and Ronnie Watkins did the same for Austen, but the BBC is unsure 'how many people want to be tied to their loudspeakers to hear a long novel out in weekly instalments'. Will talk to Lionel [Fielden: Talks producer at the BBC] on his return from holiday.