BR TO OTTOLINE MORRELL, [15 JULY 1911]
BRACERS 17228. ALS. Morrell papers #148, Texas
Proofread by K. Blackwell et al.

Paddington Hotel1^, 2
Sat. mg.

My Darling

I am not going to Radlett till afternoon, so I have a morning to get through in London. I am engaged in writing appeals to various friends to give money to the People’s Suffrage Federation, which, like all such bodies, is always hard up. The Comee. have asked me to write to dear Jane among others. It is rather awkward but I think I shall do it. — I found Margaret terribly full of work last night. She had meant to go to France for 10 days with her niece, but the niece couldn’t go; yet Margaret has just as much to do as if she had never meant to be away. She hates the Insurance Bill and is full of vexation with Lloyd George. She disapproves of the contributory basis altogether, apart from the question of special women’s grievances. She described a strange Comee. about it to which she belongs, where your brother appears to be her chief support — She is evidently very grateful to him and admires his devotion — she says he always comes and sits through all the Comees., and she feels he ought to be a gallant soldier and not know anything about suspected labour or women’s wages or such matters. From what you tell me I should think that fails to do him justice.

She was very nice about Alys, obviously firmly persuaded there is nothing behind it. She said Alys had not talked to her during her visit, because she (Alys) couldn’t avoid breaking down if she talked to her. She also thought it inevitable that Alys should for a time give up public work, which I hadn’t realized. I believe Margaret would sympathize if she knew the truth. She is very passionate, and does not regard love as a regrettable madness. I dislike the business of concealment, but in itself I rather prefer people not knowing — then they can’t talk to one about it.

Could you send the MS of my 1st four chapters to me at Trinity by letter-post tomorrow? I want to take them to be typed. There won’t be time Tuesday. I meant to have brought them away but forgot. If it is a bother, it will do when I come next week.

Hilton Young’s dining club, which I belong to, dines in London Friday 28th. Shall I accept? I suppose it is unlikely I could stay Friday night, as P. would probably be coming down; if so, I had better accept. But if it is probable that he won’t come till Saturday, I won’t accept.

I must follow your advice and get a suit of flannels. Shall I get them as dark as possible? I feel light grey inappropriate. This is a weighty question, on which I must have your matured opinion.

I was amused that Noel Buxton recalled the dinner at the Birch’s. He was at that time in love with her, and she had serious thoughts of marrying him, tho’ I don’t know whether she ever let him know that she was doubtful of refusing him. The man she has married is,a in the opinion of the present author, very much nicer — my only doubt is whether he is not too nice for her. I did not know till years after that Noel Buxton had wanted to marry her.

I wonder whether you are enjoying your visitors. I think you will find dear Oscar rather a trial. But I came to think he is better au fond thanb on the surface.

Now I must go out and do some shopping. I am longing for a letter from you, which I shan’t get till tomorrow. A hotel bedroom (which is where I am writing) is a shocking place — it destroys all one’s individual thoughts and makes one feel oneself merely No. 113. This place however has one merit — I can see Hampstead Heath out of the window. I feel I owe to you a new bond with the great heart of the people, in having been appy on Ampstead Eath.3

I really must stop this nonsense. Goodbye my Darling. It is perfectly wonderful to think how soon we shall meet constantly. This is a bald letter but all my devotion goes with it.

Your loving
B.

• 1

  [document] Document 000148. Proofread against a colour scan of the original.

• 2

  [envelope] ??.

• 3

  appy on Ampstead Eath {no anno needed?}

Textual Notes

• a

  is, before deleted to

• b

  than editorially emended from that