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Laity Water, Torrington. - Thanks Bob for his 'Christmas card' ["From the Shiffolds"]; does not know which poem he likes best as they are all 'so good, so true, and so amusing'; thinks it is a 'noble achievement to be able to write towards the end of life; "Yet the sorrow vanishes, the joy endures"'. Likes "Maya" very much, and is sure Goldie [Lowes Dickinson] would have too. Wonders if he and Bob will meet again, though feels 'this is [emphasised] a meeting' and is 'grateful for such a warm gift of friendship'. Knows Bob will be as 'heart-sick' as he is by the war; finds this phase, which he hopes is the last, 'particularly trying' as he can 'feel all the bad feelings that are stirring', so it is all the more joyful to have Bob's poems 'so clear and limpid and simple in their wisdom. Sends love to him and Bessie, and best wishes 'for what remains' of their lives; they are 'all getting old', and he himself 'almost died about three months ago'. Was glad that he was 'quite impersonal about the ordeal'; was saved by the 'miracles of modern surgery' and he is waiting to see whether he needs another operation. Had just finished writing his autobiography ["But to What Purpose?"] when he was taken ill, and hopes Bob will see it one day; his agent's reader seems 'very pleased with it' and thinks it innovative. Is still writing, but regrets that his 'days of tree-felling and digging are over'. He 'fret[s]' a little at being so 'helpless', and the house is too big for them now their daughters are away. Will not tell him about Bridget, as Katharine says she has written about this to Bessie; Bob will hear 'what a good friend Justin Brooks has been to her and us'. Thanks Bob again for the poems; is not slighting the earlier work when he says these are among Bob's 'very best'.