BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, [7 FEB. 1917]
BRACERS 19120. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<London>
Wed. evg.1^, 2^, 3
G.S.4

My Beloved

Your dear letter5 came to me safely this morning — I was glad of it — I was very very happy that last evening with you. I wish work brought relief the way it used to — but now it all seems such a weariness — we are all stale, working by will, not by spontaneous hope. I have been very busy at the office6 — till tea-time today when Carpenter7 came. He and I were both a little shy with each other, and did not get into any real human contact, but I liked him very much indeed. Since he went I have been writing letters — millions of them. Tomorrow I go up North.8 Saturday I go to Leith Hill;9 but I shall come here in between. Smith10 was drunk when I came here last night. Poor man, one might have hoped that at least alcohol would alleviate his gloom, but it didn’t, not one bit.

My Darling, I feel you very much with me, and the thought of you cheers me when I feel blue — My thoughts are with you constantly. Good night, my dear one. I love you.

B.

• 1

  [document] Document 200093.

• 2

  [envelope] The Lady Constance Malleson | 43 Bernard Str. | Russell Square. Pmk: LONDON. W.C | 1.5 AM | FEB 8 7A

• 3

  [date] The date is deduced from “Wed. evg.” plus his mention of his return to Gordon Square.

• 4

  G.S. Gordon Square. BR  had left his Bury Street flat and returned to his brother’s house located at 57 Gordon Square.

• 5

  dear letter Not extant.

• 6

  the office Of the No-Conscription Fellowship.

• 7

  Carpenter Edward Carpenter (1844–1929), author, socialist, and moral reformer. Openly homosexual, he advocated the reform of sexual relations in a number of pamphlets.

• 8

  go up North To Manchester to speak on education and to an ILP branch.

• 9

  Leith Hill In Surrey where he was to spend the week-end with Catherine Marshall and her parents.

• 10

  Smith The butler at Gordon Square, the London home of BR’s brother Frank.