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On headed notepaper for Kings College Cambridge, with note 'Coventry actually, where I am spending Christmas and New Year with the Buckinghams. - Thanks Bessie for her card and letter; is glad she is 'as comfortable as these uncomfortable times allow. The Suez imbecility has robbed us of both comfort and honour, and I do resent being deprived of both'.

Is well in himself, and still has 'enough money to stem the rising tide of prices', but is unsure how long that will continue; the 'transport problem is an immediate vexation'. Is very glad to have 'got to Greece in the spring', and Leiden for a week more recently.

Unfortunately Florence [Barger] 'lacks her old strength, and has to live more quietly'; Harriet 'looks after her splendidly', and Evert has 'a good and totally new job in London' so will settle there. Has 'satisfactory news of G. M. T. from [George Trevelyan's son] Humphry.

Had a 'charming and unexpected invitation' to eat Christmas dinner with George Moore and his wife; could not accept as he was going to Coventry. 'Various other professorial or semi-professorial lame or semi-lame dogs' would also have been there, 'an unusual and probably most agreeable occasion'. Kings 'seems to have started off well under its new Provost, Noel Annan. Provost [J. T.] Sheppard is in Texas!'

Encloses a Hungarian Relief card, which he 'only got by writing direct to the Lord Mayor [of London, Sir Cullum Welch, who launched the fund]. The Trash [perhaps the Times?] has boycotted it - really disgusting'.

Sends much love, and hopes to see her 'when things get easier - and may they!'.

As from 129 Wendell Road, Shepherd's Bush, W.12. - Thanks her for her letter and news; does 'sympathise' with her over 'this miserable upheaval [the possibility of moving from the Shiffolds]. Sorrow in itself is wretched enough' and from it comes 'the necessity for choices and decisions - at a time when one longs to rest and drift'. She also does 'not have the haven Cambridge so miraculously opened for' him. Julian seems the 'obvious person' for advice, but Forster supposes he 'is not what is called "good" at it, and no amount of trying can produce that sort of "goodness".

Is writing partly as he is 'broadcasting on the Third Programme on the subject of the Third Programme on Saturday and Monday. Great solemnity - recording van sent specially to the Buckinghams in case my ankle [which he had recently broken] feels tired'. He 'got out of plaster earlier this month', and spent a 'pleasant week' in Aldeburgh. His ankle has been 'rather troublesome' since then, but he understands this is 'not unusual'. Has a 'most comfortable and genteel shoe', and is seeing the surgeon again next week. Is just about to leave for London now by car, partly so that he can pick up Agnes [Dowland] at Barnet.

Thinks 'the opera [Billy Budd, for which Forster had written the libretto] will be fine'; has now heard it all, and has been 'strumming at' a proof copy of the piano score this morning. They have still not found a singer to play Billy: he 'must look fine, so central European stomachs are unfortunately excluded'. The final possibility is 'a young man who cannot sing all the notes', as the part is a high baritone. Forster is 'all for having him. What do a few notes matter?'.

Has not seen Florence [Barger] since her return, but has spoken to her on the phone, she 'seemed most happy and prosperous'. Is using another sheet of paper to 'urge you, whatever you decide [about her home and future] not to be too unselfish, but to procure whatever money can provide towards the comfort of your body and mind'.

Occurs to him that she might like to see the enclosed piece [no longer present], written for 'a "Reader's Club" magazine in the States which has been founded by Auden, Trilling and Barzun', whom he respects: they have chosen his new book [Two Cheers for Democracy] for this October, and requested 'something for the magazine'; asks if she can return it.

Postcript: 'Unfinished novel [what was later published in short story form as The Open Boat?] in an awful mess I fear'.

3 Wilbraham Place; sent to Elizabeth Trevelyan at the Shiffolds. - Thanks her for letter; it [an operation] 'is not a big business, as before: only tiresomeness'. Hopes they may let him out soon; will then go for a few days to the Buckinghams, then to Cambridge, then to Aldeburgh. Very glad she 'saw and enjoyed the bluebells'. Sends love to her and Bob.

4 Crabbe Street, Aldeburgh. - Convalescence [after a prostate operation] has been slow, but he is now improving. Asks for suggestions of a classical author whom Vere could read and refer to in the "Billy Budd" libretto. The opera goes on well. Sends love to Bessie, who visited him in the nursing home. Stayed for a time at the Buckinghams, then Ben Britten drove him and May Buckingham to Aldeburgh. May has now returned.

4 Crabbe Street, Aldeburgh. - Thanks Trevelyan for his translation of the [Homeric] "Hymn to Demeter". Has not answered Bessie's letter about the "Picture Post" article: the libretto [for "Billy Budd"] has reached its final form. Reads to Forster more like a play, but Britten and [Eric] Crozier are satisfied. Asks if Trevelyan can suggest anyone to do the scenery: that for the "Bride of Dionysus" was lovely. Has to have another prostate operation next month; wanted to finish the libretto and have his picture painted for King's. Likes the surgeon, [Alexander] Roche, who is confident; May Buckingham has offered to nurse him after the operation. Is having a pleasant party with Ben [Britten], Peter Pears etc.

137 Hartswood Rd., W.12. - Has good news of Morgan [Forster], who seems to have made an excellent recovery from his first operation [for prostate trouble]. His nurses appear to be very satisfactory. The date of his second operation is not yet settled. Will keep the Trevelyans informed of his progress. Buckingham's wife [May] is very well; their son [Robin] has just returned home so they are very happy.

19 Manchester Street, W.1. - Has settled in well [at a nursing home, for a prostate operation]. Asks Bessie to ring on Friday or Saturday to see if she can visit. Managed to see the Chinese Exhibition again [the 1935-1936 International Exhibition of Chinese Art at the Royal Academy], as well as 'The Dog Beneath the Skin': he knows one of the writers [Christopher Isherwood]. Love from M. [May Buckingham?] to Bessie and Bob.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - As well as a letter from Bessie, has just received one from 'a shady but nice Frenchman' and an invitation from the World Movement against Fascism to go to Abyssinia on a mission. Is glad to hear better news of Bessie: would be good if the operation could be postponed until her nursing home is ready. Has brought Anwar Masood down to visit. Is going away to Dorset for three days on Sunday, and on holiday with Bob [Buckingham] on the 24th: they have been lent a car for the English part. News of Buckingham’s wife [May] not good; she has been very nice about wanting him to go.