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Paris. - This is his 'last fortnight in France'; will be about a week in the Verdun district with [Francis] Birrell, leaving for there tomorrow morning, then a week more in Paris, after which they will start home, he expects around the 23rd. Has found a 'competent successor as librarian, a young American [John Leslie Hotson]', who Robert expects will need to move the books to the Verdun district before long. More than half the books are 'already in the country équipes'. Thinks the 'library has been a success, and the books have been a great deal read'; though it 'ought to have been started two or three years ago'.

Is very glad that Aunt Nora was 'not in a state to know about Truelove's death', as he understands from his mother's letter. Aunt Nora was 'always exceedingly kind' to them all, and Bessie too. Truelove was a 'very nice man', and Robert will be 'very sorry not to see him again'; met him in London last year, and he was 'as handsome as ever'. Hopes George's son Humphry has recovered [from scarlet fever, see 12/303]. Has 'quite good reports of Julian'.

Glad his father is going to 'read Lucretius through'. Has recently translated the whole of the fifth book; there is 'rather a tiresome part about the stars and the sun, but the first few hundred are fine, and the last 700 superb'. May do another book soon. Even when Lucretius is 'dull and absurd and unpoetical' he interests Robert, as his 'power of exposition seldom fails him, and the movement and texture of the verse is usually at a high level'. Acknowledges that 'his astronomy was bad, even for his time'.

Hopes to see his parents soon.

Paris. - Has just received her last letter - probably her last to him in Paris, as he starts for home on Friday. Has just returned from the Verdun district, where he 'spent several days, and saw most of our [the Friends War Victims Relief Committee's] équipes'; these 'seem to be doing quite well on the whole'. Spent a day at Verdun itself with [Francis] Birrell. Seems that the Shiffolds 'will be very full' when he returns, but this 'can't be helped, and we shall pack in somehow'. Hopes Bessie 'won't have any invalids on her hands by that time'.
Glad to hear that Booa [Mary Prestwich] is 'well, and enjoying house-cleaning. It is a great contrast to a few years ago, when she was always in bad such health'.

His last few days in Paris will be 'very busy' finishing his work and saying goodbye to friends. Seems to have found 'quite a competent successor in Hotson, a young American'; there are 'more Americans now than English in the Mission'. Expects the Mission's work should 'not go on later than October this year', by which time the French authorities should take on the work; 'So far they have done almost nothing, at least in the districts we have to do with'.

Supposes Charles and Molly are now at Cambo. Julian 'seems to be happier at school, though he sometimes writes as if he did not like it'; things seem at any rate 'better than last term'. Sends love to his father.

Has not written for a few days, but has not had much news; all 'pretty well in spite of the cold'; hopes Bessie has been able to continue her 'short walks'. Went to Leith Hill Place yesterday and had a 'delightful talk' with [Leslie] Hotson, the 'scholar who has so many documents about Shakespeare and Marlow and their contemporaries'; used to know him in the Quakers Mission in France during the First World War, and he was also an old friend of Lascelles and Catherine [Abercrombie]. The Times Lit[erary] Supplement is sending him a book of translations from Greek poetry by F. L. Lucas for review ["Greek Poetry for Everyman"]; 'sure to be interesting', and much of it probably good; will keep him occupied for 'some time'. Thinks he has told Bessie about the dinner the [Apostles'] Society are giving in honour of him, George and Desmond [MacCarthy]; they have promised not to make Bob give a speech, so he can enjoy his dinner. May be his last visit to [George and Janet] at the Lodge [since George's time as Master of Trinity is nearly over]. Will see Humphry and G.E. M[oore]. Hopes to visit Bessie again soon when it is 'not quite so cold'. Wrote to Bertie [Russell] recently. Asks to be remembered to K.T. B[luth] and Theo.