W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Very much liked the poem Trevelyan has written about Goldie [Dickinson]: Bessie has given him a copy to keep. He shares the sentiments about Goldie: he was not afraid of death, only distressed by the state of the world as he left it. Forster is glad he has gone, particularly that he did not live to see Japan attack China. Expects Trevelyan will send a copy to May and Hettie [Dickinson's sisters], to whom it will give great pleasure. Is lending his own copy to Florence Barger. Sends greetings to Trevelyan's brother [Sir Charles]; would like to visit him again, and wonders how his plantations coped with the summer. Has just returned from Dorset, and is to 'broadcast about T. E. Lawrence's cottage there.'
W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Wrote to Hetty [Lowes] when he saw 'the sad news [the death of Hetty's sister May Dickinson], and my letter crossed a very sweet one from her'. They moved back to their London flat in the autumn; May much enjoyed being back, and 'was only ill for a week'. Regrets that May 'seemed always wanting things and never giving them', and is afraid 'it was impossible, even with infinite sympathy, that she should be happy'.
Was about to write to ask when it would suit them for him to visit; of the dates Bessie mentioned, the 13th or 14th would do 'beautifully'. Would be very nice to see the Luces again. All well here, and they have 'plenty of wood to burn. The trouble is that it gives no heat'.
Needs to decide 'what to say to the soldiers on the subject of their choice, which is "Propaganda"'; then must give the talk, then go to London to see Traviata for the first time. Hopes he will not be 'entangled in snow drifts'.
West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Thanks Bessie for her 'kind letter'; meant to ring, but has been in bed for the last three days with a cough and cold. Is now better and out of bed. Expects to stay with the Bells at Charleston at the beginning of May. Clive says there is 'little "private news" [about Virginia Woolf's suicide], except that she was threatened by a return (it would have been the fifth) of her terrible illness. Understandably, she could not bear the prospect'. Leonard is 'as always reasonable and stoical', and so far Vanessa has not 'broken down' as she did at [her son] Julian's death. He himself has of course been 'much upset', and her sympathy is welcome; he 'found it so repulsive to get letters and telegrams from no less than six newspapers wanting me to do articles at once'.
Had meant to write on a happier subject: his 'delightful call upon G. M. T[revelyan, recently appointed Master] at Trinity', who was very pleased with [the Master's Lodge] 'and all sorts of improvements were in full swing'. Had 'the kindest of greetings'. Asks why Bessie doesn't pay them a visit.
Everyone in his house has colds; Florence [Barger] is 'nursing hers with special care, as she goes to Manchester on Tuesday'. Sends love to Bessie and Bob. Adds postscript: saw May Dickinson and her sister Hettie Lowes at Cambridge, and Sheppard 'as usual'.
K[ing's] c[ollege] c[ambridge]. - Would like to visit, but is unsure of his sisters' plans (May has mild influenza). Hears that Bob has returned from Italy; has received his "Poems and Fables" and is glad to see them in print. Békássy's poems have been published by Woolf [Hogarth Press, "Adriatica and other poems"]. Has not yet read "Sanditon" yet and will wait, as Bessie suggests. Has a paper by Békássy on Austen; he did not appreciate her.
13A Hanover Terrace, Ladbroke Grove W.11. - Would like to visit, probably on the 20th. His sisters have probably got a maisonette in his neighbourhood, and will move shortly. May is 'very miserable'. He has been advised to put off an operation once more.
Allans Green [Allen's Green] Bardon Mill, Northumberland. - Now has a new address for [Aurobindo Mohan?] Bose in Berlin; it would be kind if Bessie could send him the M.G.s ["Manchester Guardians"]. Bose will not go back to India, and his family will not send him money: Dickinson is not sure what to do. May is still very depressed [after the death of their sister Janet]; Hettie [Hester] is 'a dear' and her daughter Margery 'cheerful and helpful'. Has written to Panell [?] about the summer school.
W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Invitation to come to lunch next Thursday. Says the card is one which Goldie [Dickinson] brought back thirty years ago, given to him by Hettie [Dickinson's sister].
13A Hanover Terrace, Ladbroke Grove W.11. - If it is worthwhile to forward letters to Bob [in Greece], asks if Bessie can send on an enclosure. Is worried about his sister May after their return to London, especially since Hettie [Hester] has had to go to Northumberland.
13A Hanover Terrace, Ladbroke Grove W.11. - [His sister] Janet's death, and the 'courage and love' she kept up till the end. The funeral is tomorrow. He and his two sisters are going away as soon as possible, probably to Lyme Regis. Asks if Bob has already gone to Greece.
King's College, Cambridge. - Thanks Trevelyan for granting permission to use his translation of Sophocles' "Antigone": it is just right for the purpose, and Sheppard has 'always ranked it very high'; when he saw it acted by the girls of Hawnes School near Bedford fifteen months ago he was 'delighted'. Glad that Trevelyan agrees with him on the interpretation of [line 523, "οὔτοι συνέχθειν, ἀλλὰ συμφιλεῖν ἔφυν"], which he thinks expresses the 'most important part of the play'. Will go through the text carefully before printing and let Trevelyan know if he thinks of anything else, as well as showing him the introduction. Has just heard from May Lowes Dickinson that she and her sister are very pleased with Trevelyan's poem about [their brother] Goldie; Sheppard did not know it had been printed [in the "New Statesman"] but is pleased that it has; Maynard [Keynes] showed it him a while ago, and they 'agreed that it was very beautiful and true'.