Pièce 319 - Letter from Edward Marsh to R. C. Trevelyan

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Holly Lodge, Richmond Park, S.W. - Writes to tell Bob the 'awful news' that his mother died 'quite suddenly last night at dinner'; they had known 'there was danger', but had no idea of 'the end coming so soon', since she had 'been extraordinarily well & happy lately'. She had 'expected & wished to die very suddenly', and since she was unconscious from the start of the seizure, all was over in five minutes, and they were 'all with her and happy together' he thinks 'it happened as nicely as it ever could have both for her and us'. Bob 'always seemed to understand her so well', and he was one of the friends she was fondest of, with Oswald [Sickert], Reggie [?] or Maurice [Baring?]. Marsh and his mother had been 'such particular friends lately': she knew 'all about' him, they had not quarrelled for a long time, and he had of course not as spent as much time with her for years. Wonders if Bob saw he had come second in the Home Civil [Service examinations]; is very glad his mother knew, and that it was settled he would choose the Colonial Office. Only came home the day before yesterday; his visit to the Balfours 'didn't come off' so he had been staying with the Lyttons for ten days; it is a 'blessing' he came in time. Asks Bob to visit him if he is in London.