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Thanks Bessie for the present of some cuffs; regrets that they are unfashionable and so hard to find in shops; perhaps the 'great slump in Wall Street' will bring about a return in Victorian fashion and the cuff. Marie says Bessie has generously offered to make another pair; he requests them thinner. She will have heard the 'calamities' which have come upon them, and now Marie will probably have to leave to look after her sister, who is threatened with a dangerous operation. Her own foot is much better, and she and Riette much enjoyed their stay with the Trevelyans.

Windrush, Steep, Petersfield, Hants. - Thanks Bessie for sending his blue trousers, and apologises for leaving them behind. It was very good to be at the Shiffolds again, and a relief to learn the Trevelyans did not intend to leave but 'would adapt it to [their] future needs'. George [his brother] asks him in a letter to thank Bessie for the gift of the "Erholungs Stunden" which Timmy loves and can play with little difficulty. Sends New Year wishes, and 'kind remembrances' to Miss [Marie?] Busch. Originally enclosing a paper which fell out of his proofs.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for giving him a copy of his Lucretius translation, and feels 'very much honoured' to be presented it by the author. Has already read a great deal of the translation 'in various places'; it 'seems very good'. [His son] Nick liked the 'get-up of the book', and was surprised the [Cambridge] University Press had 'produced such a nice-looking book'. Just returned from a fortnight's holiday at Southwold; Tim has returned to school and Nick begins residence at Trinity in October. with lodging's in Maid's Causeway.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Would like to see Bob's collection of Desmond [MacCarthy]'s reviews, and would be able to send them back quite soon. Does not know who Desmond's literary executor is, but gives his son Michael's address; they see him occasionally as he usually visits when he is passing through Cambridge. His arthritis is still very bad; an X-ray has found that it is osteo-arthritis, which Dorothy says is incurable. He has no pain but is 'badly crippled'; it has affected his arms as well as his legs, and he is liable to fall asleep in the day. Hasn't yet read Forster's book ["Marianne Thornton, A Domestic Biography"?] as he discouraged Dorothy from getting it at first, but it has just arrived and they will read it soon. Saw Forster himself at an exhibition of Gwen Raverat's oil paintings. Always pleasant to hear of Ralph Wedgwood; is sorry to hear from Bessie that he looks older; hopes Veronica is not over-working. Hopes Tim will enjoy his visit to the States and get some good work done; Tim has always liked jazz, which is Moore's 'only reason for thinking that there must be some good in it.'

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Is glad she liked the Gainsborough card, which he thinks is charming and worth keeping; Dorothy disposes of most of their cards, perhaps to hospitals, but he always keeps a few; reminisces about the scrap-books he and his siblings used to make while his father read aloud to them; he still has his books. His health was good enough for him to go to Buckingham Palace three weeks ago to get his 'badge and ribbon from the King' [the Order of Merit]; he also took Tim to the Christmas Feast at Trinity and saw George [Trevelyan] for the first time since he had retired as Master. Is hoping he will be able to come to Leith Hill Place next summer: was very disappointed not to be able to come. Also thinks well of Britten: very much enjoyed his "Let's Make an Opera", and Tim thought well of "Peter Grimes" and other things by him; not sure about "Billy Budd" when he heard it on the radio, however, thinking it 'scrappy' and full of what Vaughan Williams calls 'wrong notes'. Thought [Roy] Harrod's life of [Maynard] Keynes was not well judged, but he had not noticed exaggeration of the influence of Bloomsbury. Had forgotten that Norton stayed with the Trevelyans when he was ill; was very fond of him. Bessie seems to imply Bloomsbury harmed him; asks if this is what she thinks. Agrees that it is a good thing that [his niece] Riette has gone to live at Well Walk; Tim went to see them there and had a nice time; thinks Riette very charming. Is sorry Bessie has been laid up by neuralgia, but is glad Dr Bluth's treatment seems to have improved it.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - The doctor came yesterday and was pleased with George: it is not a coronary thrombosis, as feared, but just a 'tired heart-muscle' and he will soon recover. George has been up since breakfast and won't go to bed until after dinner; he is not to go to Trinity on Thursday for the presentation of a silver inkstand and Sheffield tray with silver tea service to the Master and Mrs Trevelyan [on G. M. Trevelyan's retirement as Master of Trinity], but will sign the address which the Vice-Master will bring round tomorrow. Has been very busy herself: her father was here for a month and needed much attention, so it is probable she did not keep an eye on George. There has also been the excitement of the O.M. [Order of Merit] which thrilled her father, although the boys have taken it casually; there have been lots of letters of congratulation, and people coming round for tea. George is looking forward to seeing Bessie when he goes to Leith Hill Place next month.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Is going to stay with Desmond [MacCarthy] at Garrick's Villa this weekend; asks if it would suit Bessie for him to come straight on to them on Monday. Dorothy thanks Bessie for the invitation, but she cannot get away since their American friends may be arriving at any time. Tim has finished his three years at Trinity and is now a Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts; he will be living in London next year to attend the Royal College of Music. His teacher Patrick Hadley, Mary Fletcher's friend, is now Professor of Music at Cambridge, in succession to Dent.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Tim is to stay at the Hague with the family of Mr. W. F. Wery, lawyer and attorney; the son wrote to Tim, is a student, nearly nineteen, and had heard of him from Marinus Pické. Marinus and Tim have corresponded about stamps, as did Dorothy and Marinus' aunt Baroness van Isselmuden, who was at Newnham. The family is not very musical, but Tim will be able to hear good music at Scheveningen.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Would very much have liked to visit and bring Dorothy, but the boys are both at home and they have engagements for the last ten days of the holidays. Tim has just got a bassoon and is learning it in addition to the piano and cello.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Cannot write as convincing a thank-you letter as [his son] Timothy, but thanks Bessie for her hospitality. Found that Timothy's house-party had enjoyed themselves, and left the house in good order.