Did not thank Julian enough when he rang last week for helping him and 'all the trouble' he took: was a great disappointment not to go to Florence, but Dr Holloway strongly advised him against it; perhaps it was a mistake not to go, and to miss seeing B.B. [Bernard Berenson] again, but he did not 'really feel up to the journey'. Feels Gordon [Bottomley]'s death 'very much': he had been a 'perfect friend', and apart from Desmond [MacCarthy] and Berenson was the last of his 'old literary friends'. Though Julian had not seen him much lately, he always spoke of him 'with real affection'. His death came 'very suddenly and I think painlessly' while he was on a short visit to Mary Fletcher's at Oare. Thinks Bessie will be in London on Thursday and will ring Julian up.
The Stella Maris Nursing Home, Trumpington Road, Cambridge. - Bessie will have heard from Catherine [Abercrombie] that Dr Noble thinks he should go for a few weeks into a nursing home to 'rest and be overhauled'. Is no worse, and in fact thinks he is 'definitely better', and he 'quite enjoyed the [Apostles'] dinner', but the doctor examined him 'very carefully' and thinks he needs the rest. Dr Noble is a 'nice quiet sensible man'; Bob thinks Dr Holloway and Dr Bluth would approve of him. Is very sorry to miss the St Matthew Passion and all the Busch [Quartet] concerts. It will not be long before they are 'both at home again together'. Janet seems 'remarkably well and cheerful'. Has to stop as he has several letters to write; hopes Bessie's cure is going well.
Okewood Hill House, Ockley, Surrey; addressed to Elizabeth at 34 Brunswick Gardens, London, W.8. - Thanks Elizabeth for the letter he received from her yesterday. Is glad to hear of the improvement in her health, which he thought 'inevitable' if she could 'only have the complete rest and change' gained from a London nursing home. Has not had a further medical report on McEvoy and does not expect to get one until his current course of treatment is finished; does not think however that he will be fit to do full time work as the Trevelyan's gardener again. Will not mention to Mrs McEvoy that Elizabeth has written to him, and will explain to her that her husband is unlikely to be able to do further serious work. Has seen Robert Trevelyan on a few occasions since Elizabeth went away, and thinks he is generally keeping well, though he is 'of course rather forgetful and apt to worry over trifles'.