BRACERS Record Detail for 17279
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"Reading. 3 o'clock My Dearest Love—As no letter came I realized that my letter telling you to write to Reading must have been the last you had got so I flew here borne on the wings of love, which, disguised as a bicycle, covered the 11 miles in 46 1/2 minutes—I was rewarded by finding your dear letter here."
BR TO OTTOLINE MORRELL, [29 SEPT. 1911]
BRACERS 17279. ALS. Morrell papers #197, Texas
Proofread by K. Blackwell et al.
In the train, Reading,1, 2
3 o’clock.
My Dearest Love
As no letter came I realized that my letter telling you to write to Reading must have been the last you had got, so I flew here borne on the wings of love, which, disguised as a bicycle, covered the 11 miles in 46½ minutes — I was rewarded by finding your dear letter waiting here. I am so sorry you have been feeling ill. I don’t believe a bath a day is good for you and I expect you have been imitating the African Chief again. However I hope now the baths are over only the good affect will remain. Of course the Drs. on the spot crack up the baths — I have no doubt they have a salary from the hotel-keepers, or some equivalent. Still, I did think the place was doing you good. — Thank you, my Darling, for all you say — I am thankful my love and sympathy have been a comfort to you in this sorrow. I have been living in your thoughts very much, and feeling all you say about Mother Julian almost as if I had known her. I am so thankful you have been able to let me share this with you.
I don’t think Mrs Whitehead is injudicious in what she says. You must remember their method. If they3 suspect that something has occurred and that Miss Sands knows it, they will tell her Mrs Whitehead told them. They are very clever at guessing, and the fact that they are right does not prove they were told. Every other word they utter is a lie. If one didn’t remember that one would lose all one’s friends. I did when I believed them lose many friends by their lies. Who told them you had not taken your maid? Considering all they know, I incline again to detectives. And it would be quite in their character to use knowledge got that way to make us all suspect each other. Curiosity is with them a raging passion — what with others lust or drunkenness or morphia might be. They will do anything to satisfy curiosity. It is far stronger than love. If Alys had to choose between regaining my love and knowing all my movements, she would choose the latter.
I have finished Hilda Lessways. It is interesting — last night in bed I went on reading it till my candles were burnt out. But I don’t think it is as good as Clayhanger. The interest is more obvious and depends upon the heroine being a charming person. But some things in it are very good. I always think his feminine psychology good, don’t you?
Darling I must stop now. Tomorrow I go to London, next morning to Cambridge. I do hope you are not feeling ill. Goodbye my Beloved. Remember you are infinitely precious to me — I long to hold you in my arms and tell you all the depth of my love.
Your
B.
