BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, 10 JUNE 1917
BRACERS 19173. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

Sunday 10 June ’171^, 2

My Beloved

I found your dear little letter3 when I got home from Manchester tonight — My dearest Darling, my thoughts have been with you every moment —

You cannot know how you have changed my life — from one sheer endurance to one of singing happiness — I am filled full of joy, through you — In all I do, I feel you with me — it makes everything a happiness.

Last night we had a meeting4 of about 700 people, raided by the military. The audience were furious, and would have resisted forcibly if the Chairman had not restrained them. Miss Ashton5 made a fiery speech in the presence of the Officers, saying there was no use being angry with them, they were poor slaves, victims of the system and the Govt., deserving our pity. They looked like whipped curs while she was speaking. Not a single C.O. was captured. — I am tired, but happy — Goodnight my Heart’s Comrade.6  I love you with all my heart and soul — my life is yours utterly.

B.

• 1

  [document] Document 200149.

• 2

  [envelope] The Lady Constance Malleson | 43 Bernard Street | Russell Square | W.C.1. Pmk: LONDON W.C. | 1.15 AM | 11 JU | 17 | 54

• 3

  your dear little letter Her letter of 9 June 1917 (BRACERS 116389).

• 4

  Last night we had a meeting In Manchester, 9 June 1917. BR’s speech was reported in the press: “Manchester Meeting Raided”, Manchester Guardian, 11 June 1917, p. 6 (B&R D17.01a).

• 5

  Miss Ashton Margaret Ashton (1856–1937), municipal politician, suffragist, pacifist and a founder of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom in 1915.

• 6

  Heart’s Comrade For use of this term see BRACERS 19145, n.12.