Pièce 43 - Letter from Elizabeth des Amorie van der Hoeven to R. C. Trevelyan

13 Sarphatikade, Amsterdam; addressed to Bob at The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking, Surrey. - Is writing from the Rontgens' house; is staying another night in Amsterdam and going to dinner with great friends of theirs. The Brahms concert last night was 'delightful'; there will also be music tonight. Had a good lesson this morning with Eldering; stayed on afterwards to see his wife, 'such a nice woman', and their child; Eldering strongly advised her to take lessons with [Johann] Kruse, to whom he will give her an introduction; they will also give her an introduction to their friends the Elders, a very musical family in London; seems Eldering also knows Charles [Trevelyan's?] friend [William?] Shakespeare the singer. All the Röntgens are well and send love; she will now go and play with Johannes, who is 'such a darling'. Dreamt last night she and Bob were having their first breakfast at the Mill House after their honeymoon.

Continues the letter next day, when she has returned to the Hague; very much enjoyed her dinner with the Röntgens' friends last night; felt like her 'last plunge into what is the nicest & best of... home life'; does not think she will have anything like that again, and recognises that she is talking as Bob was about Greece [see 9/40]. Found her alone when she returned and, perhaps because of the contrast with the Röntgen spirit, felt 'chilled and stiffened'; always a struggle not to see 'the tragic side of things in this house'; it would in some ways be good for her uncle and aunt to have 'lots of young people about them', though it would give them 'endless worry & fuss'. Had a very nice letter from Bob's mother.