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Kings College Cambridge [headed notepaper). - Very nice to hear from her; will answer 'at once like a good boy - which I am not always!'. Agrees that Florence [Barger] is 'wonderful'; he 'found her looking out of the way well'. Has also had a 'good year'; his 'great achievement was getting to Italy for six weeks, to stay with American friends'.

Bessie asks about the London LIbrary; is not on the committee and thinks she should write directly to the Secretary and ask whether Bob's life membership entitles her to become an 'ordinary annual member without paying an entrance fee'; thinks the annual subscription is five or six pounds now but is unsure as he has a life membership himself. Would be more difficult for her to join on a reduced subscription; the Carlyle Fund provides for this, but 'the applicant has to prove special need'. It is 'very nice, and very right' that Birkbeck College allows her to borrow from Bob's library [which she has given to them as a memorial].

His book is about Dewas, the Indian state he was in years ago. Malcolm Darling, 'whom Bob liked and stayed with', has much information about it which Forster has worked in with his own letters from there to his mother. Hopes the book will be published next year; it will be called The Hill of Devi, which is the 'little acropolis that stands about Dewas and gives it its name'.

Would like to come and see her in the warmer weather; may be able to find a 'young friend to bring me in a car - they will sometimes'. Earlier this year he got to the Hammer with John Meade, son of a former rector at Abinger, now at the Staff College at Camberley, who is married to 'a grand-daughter of Major Lugard'.

Harnham, Monument Green, Weybridge. - Has been visiting the Dakyns family and is 'so sorry to hear about [Bob's son] Paul'; hopes that he will get well soon at Broadstairs. Has been meaning to write for a long time to say 'how good' he thinks "Sisyphus", and how much it made him laugh; liked Hypnos's appearance best; thought his remarks 'seemed so true' that those of Thanatos - [annotation above, perhaps in Trevelyan's hand, 'Time?']- which were 'presumably meant to be more true... did seem deal and second hand mahogany in comparison'. Calls Aphrodite and Artemis 'two dears'; the chorus made him 'faint with joy'. They are returning the 'Italy book', which his mother 'could scarcely bear to part with', and 'have put "Don't forward"'.

Is very glad that Trevelyan and Bessie rate the book ["Maurice"?] so highly. Wishes they could talk it over together, as he will not now see them for a long time. Asks him to return the manuscript to Florence Barger in Edinburgh. Presumes the Trevelyans have let their house; the Darlings have asked him to find them one.

C/o Mrs Read, Grasmere. - He and his mother are enjoying their holiday in the Lakes, despite the rain; likes Grasmere more than Windermere and the 'associations are just right'. 'Billy here' [William Wordsworth] is 'in proportion], unlike 'Billy of Normandy' [William the Conqueror] and 'he of Stratford' [Shakespeare]. Much enjoyed visiting Dove Cottage, although not the portraits of [Thomas and Matthew] Arnold next to Coleridge's. Are going for a drive round Thirlmere, then on to the Patterdale Hotel Ullswater tomorrow. Asks where Joanna's Rock [as referred to in Wordsworth's "To Joanna"] is.

King's Coll. Cambridge [headed notepaper]. - Good to hear from her, and to get good news, 'which is an unusual luxury in these days'. Met Julian in a train - 'we are rather clever at meeting in public conveyances - who told him about Bessie's 'improved domesticities'. Is also very glad about the car. Would like to visit later in the month, either to stay the night or for lunch.

'Chhatarpur's letter and card are charming [from the Maharaja to Bob, sent for him to see?]'; had meant to enclose them, but 'they are not lost but gone behind - i.e. left at Cambridge'. Will post them as soon as he returns. Like Bob, has been 'tearing up letters, and would they were only to myself!'. Has to 'go through what ladies wrote to ladies about ladies in the sixties, seventies, eighties, and nineties in the last century. Really extraordinary! Miss Marianne Thornton leads', then there is his aunt Laura, and later his mother; they are mainly discussing their cousin Mrs Aylward, of whose second marriage they disapproved, and from whom there are also letters. As a 'cross current' there are all the letters written by his grandmother to his mother. The twelve boxes with which he was 'confronted at West Hackhurst have now been reduced to three'.

Has just been to Aldeburgh, 'partly to tear up letters, partly to tend' his friend E. K. Bennett, recovering from 'duodenal trouble... What an exasperating disease, and how prevalent! If it is indeed a nervous illness it may be due to the worries of the age'. Is very well himself, and 'even bathed!'. Sends love to her and Bob.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Wrote to Bob before going to Dorset for a week, but ‘lost the letter [probably TRER/3/26] after it had been addressed. He ‘may seem to have been indifferent to the kindness and sympathy’ of them both [on the death of his mother], but ‘this is not so’. Everyone has been ‘so kind, and Agnes is wonderful’; Ruth [Goldsmith, the Forster's old cook?] is staying with her for three days. Is going to London ‘to broadcast as usual’; when he returns, he thinks on Tuesday evening, would like to come over to see Bob and Bessie if that would suit them. Florence and Aunt Rosie ‘have alternated here’; at the moment he is ‘sustained by Bob Buckingham’. His health is ‘very fair’, and he is eating and sleeping properly.

Stayed in Dorset with ‘some young people [Pat and Joyce Knowles] who are the custodians of Clouds Hill [the former home of T. E. Lawrence]. They were absolutely charming, but the weather was poor’.

Postscript dated ’11.4.45’: ‘Even this has been left about’. Will ring up some time tomorrow.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Must send thanks to ‘Dearest Bessie’ for her wire, which did not reach him until ‘too late’, and letter. Thinks he would rather see her ‘a little later’. The death [of his mother] leaves him ‘very tired, but there have been no regrets’. Florence Barger left his morning and now his aunt [Rosalie] is here, ‘very nice, and “saving herself”’. He had to be in Dorking at 8.30 this morning to register the death, and the funeral is tomorrow. Agnes ‘was and is spendid: helpful, deeply moved emotionally, but never pretending that she and mother cared for one another: two bossers [?] naturally couldn’t’. Does not yet know whether she can be ‘left alone at night’, on which his ‘immediate movements’ depend; would like to see Bessie and Bob, but as far as ‘staying away is concerned’ wants to go either to his flat in London, ‘or “right-away”, if there is such a place or state’. Confirms that his mother was ‘very fond’ of Bessie; signs himself ‘Your affectionate (and sleepy) Morgan’.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Is very sorry that Trevelyan does not want to take the part of the Recorder [in the pageant "England's Pleasant Land"]; sympathises with his reluctance to use an open air microphone. Thanks him for his generous offer regarding a substitute. Has been at Dover with his mother and is going there for Whitsun; did not want the Dover flat again and cannot really afford it, but it helps solve 'a muddle made by someone else'. Has at last managed to finish a Balzac novel: "La Recherché de l'Absolu". Has also read Thornton Wilder's "Heaven's my Destination": 'amusing and also rather moving'. Advises him not to see the Lunts in [Jean Giraudoux's] "Amphitryon 38" and wonders what Desmond [MacCarthy] thought of it; finds Lunt 'vulgar and awful'. Is writing "What I believe" for Simon and Schuster. Asks if Trevelyan is coming to the [Apostles'] Dinner: Moore will be there.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Bessie ‘cannot imagine how consoling’ her letter was, ‘nor Bob how well placed his flounce. The whole thing was done without my knowledge [the adaptation and broadcast of his story The Eternal Moment], and the first news he had of it was ‘the ghastly sketch in the Radio Times’. As she may imagine, ‘rows are in progress’: with his publishers, who gave permission without consulting him, as they are bound to do by the terms of the contract; and with the producer [Howard Rose] ‘for his discourtesy in ignoring me, and for supposing that an author doesn’t know anything [crossed through] can’t help over his own book’.

The contrast between ‘this insensitive hack’ and Leonard Cottrell, producer of The Celestial Omnibus, is ‘extraordinary’; Cottrell consulted him throughout, and invited him to Manchester for the rehearsal. Will let her see the letters if she likes. Is ‘taking it all to the Society of Authors’, and then will ‘ask for an interview with someone in the B.B.C., as this sort of thing must be stopped’. Notes that they acted legally [in obtaining permission from his publishers].

Looks forward to visiting soon. The cold has been ‘terrible’, and they are ‘still not feeling the better for it’. Chi’en was ‘nice’, but Forster criticises his English: ‘I once ventured to Chi’en that his lectures were becoming difficult to follow. He beamed and continues to deteriorate. Something is wrong with the Chinese after all, I fancy’. Went to Cambridge last week ‘to speak to Indians’; did not see Bertie [Bertrand Russell], but his lectures ‘continue a huge success, and the other dons are most critical: - jealousy partly, partly the uneasy knowledge that he upholds humanism in a community which has betrayed it’. His mother sends her love.

Postmarked London W.1; sent to Elizabeth at the Shiffolds. - Thanks 'dear Bessie' for the 'sweet flowers and still sweeter notes', which all came when they were 'much needed'. Is now ''"doing well", though that still entails doing nothing'; the nurses have been nice but 'the upper command must really be bloodier than normal'. Thinks Bob [Buckingham] is keeping her informed' asks if she could 'write him a line sometime', which he thinks would be appreciated. His mother and Bob have had 'much to do'.

Feels 'more like reading' now, and 'perhaps shall extricate Emma from Mr Elton tomorrow - no great difficulty in view of her energetic cooperation'.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Meant to answer Bessie's 'kind letter' before, but 'these are paralysing days, and it is impossible to write with one's old gaiety, nor has one time to create a new sort'. Went to the London Library the morning after the bombing, and 'saw Carlyle's head stricken from his shoulders, and the theological section ruining [?] through the ceiling of the Reading Room'; wonders whether 'poor Bob has looked in'. Meant to 'do half a days salvaging there, but had to go numbering up all my aunts in Putney. All were intact'. Now he is back home, 'combatting a sore throat and cough with prudence and success'; would like to come over next month, and perhaps as the evenings get lighter she will get to visit them.

Should have 'taken chair for Hsiao Chien on Tuesday', and is disappointed that he cannot; has not seen him recently, but has 'been blessed with an American charmer [William Roerick], a friend of Christopher Isherwood, who has now gone off to Africa'. He was acting in This is the Army [by Irving Berlin], perhaps not known to Bessie 'even by name!', and took Forster a few times to the Churchill Club [at Ashburnham House]. There was a '"musical brains trust" there , Ralph V[aughan] W[illiams], acquitting himself very well, Malcolm Sargent - glib, Wm Walton smartibootified, and Alan Rawsthorne a little drunk'.

Thanks Bessie for the 'cutting for [the National Council for? Civil Liberties'; thinks they are 'a little nervous of adding education to their activities'. His mother seems fairly well, and sends love. 'Bob (policeman) [Buckingham] has been over here mending pokers, window sashes etc. He has had a grim time during the raids'; Forster hears '(from another source) that many more planes come over than we are allowed to know'. Hopes the news of [her daughter in law?] Ursula and family is good.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Tells Bessie to 'keep the Boswell for Beethovenian cycles'; is glad that Bob is reading aloud from it. Pleased they had 'such a nice visit from [their grandson] Philip. I expect and hope that he cried on the chord of C because a chord is too much of a good thing at once, whereas a scale is just a lot of nothings-at-all in a row, and he could deal with them severally'.

Asks if she has heard how Hsiao Chen is; he wrote to Forster after Dr Bluth took him for an x-ray, and 'was hoping to avoid an operation'. Afraid Margaret's operation 'though not making her worse, did not do her any good'; does not know what arrangements Florence [Barger, her sister] is making for her. Understands that 'Evert and his Molly [Mollie Sinton, who married Evert Barger in Jan 1944]' are being very helpful.

His mother is 'fairly well and sends love'. Forster fears they have 'now left it too late and date in the year' for Bessie to visit; looks forward to coming to see her and Bob at the Shiffolds. Now has a copy of Trilling's monograph', and could lend it to her if she likes. It is 'an intelligent but almost overwhelmingly serious piece of work. It praises me for my seriousness; then censures me for my lack of seriousness... but when summing up it suggest that my very absence of seriousness may imply a seriousness far more serious than superficial seriousness'. Was 'rather difficult to know how to thank the author', but he is 'pleased with the book, and tried to say so'. His mother 'cannot read it for nuts [?]'. Has had 'several letters from America, and some tins of food'.

"Lady, you said a mouthful" might be your reply to Moya's epistle, but I don't expect will be'. Has also had a letter from Moya recently; thinks she is lonely, and that 'letters of any sort... should cheer her'. Would very much like to see Bessie, but it cannot be this week; will be in touch.

Is lunching with Florence and Evert [Barger] in London tomorrow; Evert 'seems in good form, and has achieved his purpose in coming to England'. Though Forster has been 'told several times', he is unsure what this is, and 'dare not ask again'. Margaret was 'safely conveyed by Florence to Bristol'.

His mother is 'fairly well, though rather depressed because she has made some chutney which hasn't turned into proper chutney. It is delicious, but what is the use of that?'. Very sorry to hear about Sturge Moore's health; fears he 'can't think of anyone who could give any substantial contribution'

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - They are 'most concerned' to hear about Bessie's 'crisis' [seemingly regarding household servants], and keen for further news; his mother 'asserts that an old father is sure to be dirty', but Forster agrees with Bessie in 'considering him as an asset as a [?] pin'. Hopes that she will anyway 'send the Packs packing, and that they will encounter the discomforts which, by their vulgarity and their unkindness, they have done their damnedest to deserve'. If they had first given notice, so that they and Bessie could 'look about' at the same time, 'one would understand and sympathise, but this discreet preparation is unpardonable'.

Has not read his Where Angels [Fear to Tread] 'for a long time'. Is now reading Illusions Perdues, and 'liking it much better than other works by that master [Balzac]. It sometimes equals Proust in social atmospherics, and of course is his superior in dramatic bustle; also most amusing here and there'.

Florence [Barger] is staying with them for a few days and joins them 'in love and sympathy'; they trust Bessie will 'pull through the crisis'.

Their letters crossed; returns Sykes Davies' letter which 'is gay and charming, and doesn't suggest that much is wrong with him'.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Bessie for her letter; will be 'interested to read Sykes Davies' when it comes'. Will not write to him again, and 'of course... will not put the Committee on to his new address [see ADD/TRER/52]. Hopes she will be able to persuade Sykes Davies to return the books; thinks that if the Library had them back 'it wouldn't worry over his lapsed subscription'. He and his mother are very glad 'the honeysuckle travelled well'; they enjoyed Bessie's call 'so much', and hopes she calls again.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. Note at top of letter reads 'FOR BOB OR BESSIE', but it is addressed to 'Dear Bessie'. - Does not think she need worry about Florence and Margaret; when he saw Florence recently she was 'comfortably in bed', and when he rang on Tuesday Harriet said she was much better. Believes that Margaret's x-ray was satisfactory; she is 'now in the non-danger ward, and quite bright'. Expects Florence will write to Bessie later; she is resting as much as she can, and Harriet deals with phone calls.

His mother has been ill with 'cold, weakness, etc'; she has now recovered but is 'by now means the better for her illness'. Has concealed from her the 'extremer side of Margaret's trouble: said it was just a tumble'. Feels 'sick of everyone's health, including my own'.

Turns to 'a different kind of nuisance', which he was going to write about to Bob. Asks whether he has any news of Hugh Sykes Davies, who is 'giving a lot of trouble to the London Library'; he has books out worth over seven pounds, and 'won't answer letters'. Forster thinks this has been going on for over a year'. Wrote to him at the Committee's request via The Shiffolds about six months ago, and received no answer; the Committee have also written 'fruitlessly through their solicitor, and are contemplating prosecution, though they hate the idea'; Ilchester [the President] particularly has been 'very nice about it'. If Sykes Davies would 'only write, and acknowledge his existence and his whereabouts they would probably calm down'; wonders whether Bob could 'have a try at him', and fears that he is 'one who, when in trouble, always runs deeper into his hole'.

If his mother keeps well, they hope Bob will visit; he has 'already favoured Molly'.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Would be delighted for George [Trevelyan?] to use an extract from his aunt's [Marianne Thornton?] memoirs: 'she would have been delighted too'. Sends the chapter he thinks Trevelyan has in mind. George is also welcome to use 'the two large vellum volumes of letters'. Is going to Plymouth to help his mother with the 'tiresome business' [of selling off his great aunt Eliza Fowler's house and effects after her death]. Is sorry C.A. [Clifford Allen] is ill.

Postmarked Dorking. - His mother sends her love and much enjoyed the broadcast [of Bob's essay "Simple Pleasures", broadcast on the BBC Home Service on the evening of 10 July] but wished Bob had been reading himself. Arthur [Waley] enjoyed it too, and found it 'a strange and a pleasant change to hear the loudspeaker speaking common-sense'; did not think the readers were bad, apart from 'the woman with the tea-kettle sigh'. Hopes Bob will be able to visit later in the month. was 'so nice' to see Bessy. Is not going to the dinner.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Trevelyan's present is very generous: would not have been able to afford a seat at that price [to see Mussorgsky's "Boris Gudunov" at the Lyceum, see 3/52]; is pleased he will be sitting next to K.C. [Kenneth Cross] Has been to see [Verdi's] "La Forza del Destino", which he does not think Trevelyan could have stood, and is going to meet the prima donna [Rosa Ponselle] at Bumpus [Bookshop]. Wishes Trevelyan were coming to the [Apostles'] Dinner. Trevelyan's title still not vulgar enough' for Forster's taste: he offers some suggestions. His mother much enjoyed "A High Wind" [Richard Hughes, "A High Wind in Jamaica"].

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'.

137 Hartswood Rd, W.12. - Has just been speaking to Mrs Forster, who says that Morgan is 'a little better today' and that the surgeon assures her he will be 'quite all right'. Hopes to see Morgan on Saturday; will write after that to Elizabeth unless Mrs Forster has news tomorrow.

West Hackhurst. - Was just about to write, to say that a cousin is unexpectedly coming on Monday so he cannot visit her then, when he got her letter. Is very sorry and fears the visit must now be put off till after Christmas: 'on the Tuesday there are the grubby soldiers, and on the Wednesday a broadcast about Julius Caesar'. Had wanted to consult Bob about the broadcast, but now cannot. Will write again with a new suggested day to visit, meanwhile he and his mother send 'affectionate greetings'.

West Hackhurst. - Hopes his wire reached her in good time; had been staying with the Kennets and only just got her letter. Monday the 28th would 'suit splendidly'; asks her to drop him a line to confirm nearer the time. Will of course meet her bus and take her back to it; she will have 'coffee on arrival, tea on departure, and alcohol between times - if acceptable, that is to say'.

He does 'dislike voices against music when there is no reason for it, but there was a reason here [further discussion of the BBC broadcast of his short story The Celestial Omnibus, see also TRER/ADD/45-46], and for the music being Wagner'. Believes the first chapter of A Passage to India is to be broadcast on the 28th, 'some unearthly hour of the night as usual'.

His mother looks forward to seeing Bessie.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Bessie for her letter about The Celestial Omnibus [an adaptation of his short story broadcast on BBC radio, see TRER/ADD/45], with which he 'disagree[s] pretty completely!'. Acknowledges that 'one can pick holes in the production, as in everything', but thought that it was generally 'intelligent and in good taste, and the boy, with his unpriggishness and unsophistication couldn't have been better'. Asks if he is 'being nasty now'. Encloses Florence [a letter by Florence Barger]; his mother and aunt [Rosalie] agree with her, as does Kathleen Kennet, 'who started listening with the utmost hostility' and 'Mr Herbert E. Gibbs, otherwise unknown'. He will, with his 'noted fairmindedness' forward Bessie's letter to Florence and 'extend this salutary disquiet'.

Hopes that later in the month, after the 20th, she might be able to visit them 'unsupervised by Molly [Trevelyan?]' for coffee and tea. Postscript conveying his mother's love.

Weybridge. - Asks if Trevelyan can come to him, so that his mother can see him; suggests a date. Expects to be at West Hackhurst at the end of the year. Has seen Goldie [Dickinson], and something of [Harry] Norton.

West Hackhurst. - Thanks Bessie for her kind letter. His 'contusions swelled to exaggerated proportions' at Cambridge; he 'fell on [his] nose at the Wings for Victory Garden Party' and also bruised both wrists, but 'carried on as usual afterwards, and no bleeding'. Had not heard Max [Beerbohm?] 'nearly tumbled'. Wishes he had seen his lecture: has just been sent the proofs from Cambridge and 'as reading, it is rather flimsy'.

Has just had a letter from Moya Davies; she asks him to tell Bessie that she is 'very anxious to know about Leo Hubrecht and her children, especially Julie'; thinks they 'were at Switzerland just before the war, the younger children at school in Holland'. Also has a 'dear friend in Burma, Carola Toennies' and another in Italy, and has not had a word from either since the beginning of the war; supposes 'it is the same with everyone'. Gives Moya's address as 'Killadreenan House, Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow, Eire' in case Bessie wants to write direct, or he could send a message for her if she prefers. Richard [Moya's son] has a new wife 'in the place of Ann Stephen, who has got someone else [Richard Synge]'.

Is very pleased with the new Abinger Chronicle; 'not entirely carrried away' by his own contribution, but Bob's is 'very good'. Asks whether she agrees that they are generally *much more comfortable and vigourous [sic] on our own'; found S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge] a 'most enervating editress'.

His mother is 'fairly well, though she hasn't been up to her former level since illness at the beginning of the year'; she is enjoying the garden, which is 'lovely'. Hopes that Bessie will be able to visit soon, though next week he will be away a great deal. Went to see Florence [Barger] yesterday, who 'seems very well and is on yet another committee - reforming London University'; gathers Edith Mathews is staying with her. Margaret is 'cheerful, but no better, whatever Florence says or thinks or pretends to think'; would be better if she went to an institution, and she will have to one day as it is 'too much for Florence and Harriet'.

Sends his and his mother's love.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Bessie for her letter and enclosure. His mother 'seems none the worse for her inquisitiveness', and he has some 'nice warm socks and a sort of waistcoat with a shoulder cape - very cosy'. Is glad none of them are ill, but 'this cold is scaring'; very sorry about Sturge Moore'. Will send Bob three tickets as soon as he can find them; if he cannot, he fears he will have 'no audience'. Hopes they are in his flat. Must now go out to bring up the coal. Has to go and broadcast to India tomorrow about The Return of the Native. Is reading Jeans' Science and Music, which he expects she knows.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Bessie for sending on a letter [from an unknown writer], 'how nice and warm-hearted she is'. Has received two copies of the book and sends one to Bessie; asks if she can post it to Sig and Ruth [Waley] when she has finished with it. It is the 'sort of book' he finds 'impossible to read' in his present mood: 'yet another of those "recipe books" which the earnest and uninfluential continue to turn out on both sides of the Atlantic'.

Comments on the 'bitter cold': they have frozen and burst pipes, but since they have 'so little water at any time' the 'results are in no wise tragic'. Has been to London and brought back his aunt Rosalie to stay, so they are 'now a nice quartet'. Florence [Barger] is 'slowly recovering from her cold'. They hope that Bob and Bessie are keeping well.Adds undated postscript: is starting [Flaubert's] L'Education Sentimentale; wonders whether he will ever finish it.

Another postscript, dated 28 Jan: has received her letter, and is very sorry about Bob's cold; 'We must all take care'. Confirms that her 'Tovey Beethovens are safe here and have been much enjoyed and played', though he has not been playing the piano at all recently. Can send them whenever she wants.

137 Hartswood Rd, W.12. - Is 'rather worried about Morgan', who is 'much weaker this morning'... he is apparently unable to take any nourishment without vomiting. He is now not allowed any visitors except his mother. Will keep in touch with her and let Elizabeth know what she says. There are no complications and the wound is 'quite all right'; the anaesthetic has upset his stomach. Hopes he will have better news tomorrow.

Is glad to hear Trevelyan is thinking of writing a novel, though the 'bothers' about writing distress him as they resemble his own. Asks if he has read and admired Norman Douglas's "South Wind"; suggests it, and Gide's "Les Caves du Vatican", as possible models. Will send him and Bessie 'the unpublished thing' ["Maurice"], but asks them to promise not to mention it to anyone except Goldie [Dickinson]. Has re-read it recently and found some 'grave faults' which he may alter. Has written a memorandum on Egypt for the Labour Party, and so spent a pleasant day in London seeing Woolf and Shaw. His aunt's neighbours, the Agnews, came to tea; he liked Mr Agnew. 'Yesterday I had tea at the House of the Lord'. Saw Tovey and Miss W. [Sophie Weisse] in Edinburgh. His mother is reading 'The Arrows of Lead' [ Joseph Conrad's "The Arrow of Gold"] which she finds slow.