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West Wind, Hinksey Hill, Oxford [Heading on notepaper, 'The Dower House, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks', crossed through]. - Thanks Bob for his poem ["A Dream"], which she has 'read with great interest' but not yet had time to 'absorb'; when she has done so she will send it to Christopher [her son], who will 'appreciate having something of [Bob's] mind & feeling'. Hopes he is well and can work, which she knows as the 'only solace'. She and her husband are well, and can usually spend weekends together which is a 'joy'.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Would like to find out something about S.G. McDonald, an Australian surgeon, regarding a possible operation [for prostate trouble]. Has heard pessimistic accounts of life expectancy after the operation. Enjoyed his visit, particularly seeing the Archibalds [George and Dorothy?] and their son Christopher. Bessie's niece's book has arrived: will mention it to [William] Plomer.

The Dower House, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks. - Bob's present [his "Collected Works"] has given her more happiness than he can know: it is almost like having Bob himself in the house. Finds poems whenever she looks in it which 'transport [her] back, sometimes 20 years' to the time when Bob first read them to her, and to 'the happy hours' she has spent 'learning from' Bob. His poems are a 'treasure to have always'; looks forward to introducing [her son] Christopher to them. Around a week before Christmas, she re-read the epistle to Desmond [MacCarthy], for which Bob sent her the proofs, and had 'the same delight from the sense of recreation of the past & of a philosophy to meet even the present' as when she first read it. Hopes that the New Year brings him 'personal peace & welfare'.