Office of Cabinet Delegation, The Viceroy’s House, New Delhi.—Is busy but well. The future progress of the mission is uncertain, as is the date of their return, but they expect to leave for Simla on Wednesday. Has written a letter of condolence to Lady Keynes (see 2/259).
Congratulates him on his forthcoming marriage. Commends his articles on the gold standard. Will raise a question on the subject in the Commons in connection with the Appropriation Bill. Asks why the price of bread has not fallen with the rate of exchange.
46 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury.—Is unable to come to he House of Commons (see 2/262), as she and her husband are going to Berlin. Is amused by his reference to the Hammersmith ballet (the ballet by Ashley Dukes in the revue Riverside Nights?) as a ‘parody’.
17A St Edmund’s Passage, Cambridge.—Thanks him for his letter of sympathy on the death of Lord Keynes (see 6/164). She feels utterly alone without him.
46 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury.—Thanks him for his letter (see 2/263). She enjoyed seeing the photographs of the Pethick-Lawrences in the Picture Post.
Tilton, Firle, Lewes.—Declines his invitation, as she has just arrived in Sussex and intends to be there for some time. Invites him and Lady Pethick-Lawrence to visit her.
Invites her to a Commons debate, and compliments her on her performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre (probably on the 15th, when she danced in Carnaval and Pulcinella).
Commends her radio broadcast.
West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Has lost her address 'Like a poop (why a poop?)' so this letter must go via the Shiffolds. Hopes that she feels better, and that 'the hostel isn't too quaint'; asks her to tell him when she returns so that he can visit. Things are all right here, but 'the frost has been a melancholy impediment to the garden, and has destroyed nearly all the fruit'.
Has seen Desmond lately, 'a great joy and he seemed in good form, though like all of us he looks older'. They had an 'interesting meeting of the Memoir Club - Bunny Garnett read about that curious woman Dorothy Evans who wrote a book called Rhapsody', and they dined at a restaurant beforehand with Maynard and Lydia [Keynes]; 'Twelve of us in all - the flower, or perhaps the seed-pods, of Old Bloomsbury'. Desmond stayed at his flat afterwards.
The day before, there was a 'party at the Kennets', at which Denis Matthews and another man '"did" the Emperor Concerto on two pianos'; thinks Matthews is 'magnificent'. At the party 'Various admirals were present, and rather suspiciously voluble about the Second Front: knew nothing about it all, they trumpeted, no one knows anything but Eisenhower'. Has himself 'a sort of hope that it will never take place'.
Was invited yesterday by Mrs [Olive?] Heseltine to meet Francesca Wilson: 'What an untaking woman! I have never slightly disliked anyone more, if you follow my English'. Now he is supposed to 'read her book and follow her English'; asks whether Bessie knows 'what "I met up" means?'. His letter 'seems getting ill-natured and consequently interesting', but he hears the bell.