Low Ludderburn, Windermere. - P.D ["Peter Duck"], 'extra-illustrated with a smudge of the Swallow', has gone to John Hayes; is flattered that 'a discover of pistols & coins of the best [?] smuggling period' should be interested in his own 'minor finds'. Is very glad that Trevelyan likes the book, but does not believe what he says about his first attempts at a prose story; wishes he were coming up before going to Italy, as the Ransomes could put him up. Their plans are uncertain: may go south for a while in search of sunshine in the book goes well; Hugh Walpole praised it in the "Observer", and Cape have written to say they are already reprinting, but he does not yet dare to be too hopeful, and in any case they will not leave until Christmas. Wishes he could make up his mind about the next book, and invites suggestions. Encourages Trevelyan to 'plunge on' with his story; he himself would never have managed to get a story written if he had 'insisted at beginning at the beginning'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Is reading "The Green Mirror" by Hugh Walpole, which begins well and reminds him of E. M. Forster. Has read nothing of his since "Howard's End"; looked him up in "Who's Who" and sees he has written "The Celestial Omnibus". Asks Elizabeth whether she has read this; would like to read it if it is a novel. Also asks for the address of Bruce Richmond, who recently wrote mentioning that he lived near Elizabeth and Robert. Pleased to hear about Julian's school projects.
90 Piccadilly, W.1. - Thanks her for the book [S. G. Owen's 'Greece and Rome: a selection from the works of Sir James George Frazer'?], the only one of Frazer's that he doesn't have; as for his books, 'one works so in the dark, not knowing anything except that one has to write as one does'.
90 Piccadilly - Thanks her for the Downie biography.