The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Is going to London on Friday to see his father and discuss the marriage conditions; his father is going to his lawyers tomorrow. Has done a fair bit of work lately; asks if she would like him to bring anything over to show her or whether it should wait till they are married; would like to show her all his unpublished old work as well as his recent material. Seatoller is the place where he 'conceived the story of Epimetheus", though he did not write it till later. Wonders whether, though he had written little of merit, he was 'more of a poet' then, four years ago; used to have 'wonderful lyrical moments' alone in the hills. This may only be the 'natural illusion of thinking our past more wonderful than our present'; is sure he writes better now. Discusses the fact that his poetry and his love for Bessie are two separate things, which would not have been the case then; expects all writers of that age 'create an artificial mistress of their thoughts'; this mistress was a 'much more reasonable object of... jealousy', not that Bessie feels this, than 'poor Miss [Irene] Zocco' or anyone else. Has been reading "Othello"; his play has more or less the same subject but will be a 'feeble shadow' of it. Has just written a speech for the villain; he 'always write[s] the bad people's speeches easier than the goods,' but his villain is 'weak and lifeless' beside Iago. Quotes from the play. Mrs Pepper writes to say that there are so far no visitors at Seatoller in June, which is usually a quiet month. Ends with a doggerel verse promising to kiss her and give her Grasmere gingerbread.
The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Has had many letters to write this morning: to Sir Henry and Mr Turing; to Mrs Pepper at Seatoller to reserve rooms and ask if they will have the house to themselves; to Mr Insley to ask when he will collect his furniture; then to Irene Zocco who has just sent back the books he lent her. Teasingly wonders whether he should ask permission before writing to 'young foreign ladies'; will continue writing, and sending books 'as she is very few, and is too poor to get them, and yet is genuinely fond of reading'; he and Bessie must see them when they are next in Sicily. Finally wrote to his mother to thank her for the things she is sending; hopes the sofa will be comfortable. Very glad Bessie is meeting Joachim again. Does not at all think it will be necessary to invite the Howards [to the wedding]; would just like to speak to his mother first; takes the point that the invitations are sent by her uncle and aunt. Agrees that it would be good to be married totally privately, but she must not worry herself. Did not write any poetry yesterday, but had a 'fine time on the moor'. Agrees that she was 'a bold girl to ask [him] to come over and vondle' her.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Thanks Bessie for her letter, and for enclosing Madame [Irene] Zocco's; very glad to hear 'how well and splendid Julian is ', which makes up for their sadness about the nurse's illness. Glad Julian has curls; Humphry is also 'very curly' but this is 'more out of the family line' for them. He and Mary 'play Lake Regillus and Horatius on the Museum floor' with some soldiers and some 'ancient Romans' he once got in Switzerland; she is 'very clever and sharp at the uptake'. Meanwhile Theo usually rides the rocking horse, though he looks on a little, 'and spouts the poems' [by Macaulay]. He is 'very much interested' ('much' is an insertion as 'concession to Jan's hereditary ideas of grammar') about [Donald] Tovey; takes it that his progress [on the opera "The Bride of Dionysus", to Robert's libretto] is 'slow but sure'. Must be very interesting to watch him at work. Can easily believe what she says about Forster's book ["Howard's End"], which would make it 'like all his others'; he is 'just one half of a great writer' and could do with being boiled down by 'Peer Gynt's button moulder' with 'some ordinary mechanic writer who can spin him a common likely plot'. Sends love to Bob and wishes 'success to his Solomon, and the Sage' [a reference to Bob's "Foolishness of Solomon"?].
Note from Janet offering condolences for 'poor Nurse Catt's departure'; asks to be remembered to her before she leaves.
Rapallo. - He and Janet are very glad to hear that Julian has put on eight ounces. They are having good weather and walks here by themselves, before 'going on south to join the Hammonds' [John and Barbara]. Thanks Bessie for sending 'Madame Scocco's letter' [sic: Irene Zocco]; fears he will not be able to go to Palermo again; would have called on her last month if he had known she was there.