BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, 4 NOV. 1916
BRACERS 19072. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<letterhead>
Woodbrooke Settlement.1^, 2
Selly Oak,
near Birmingham,
4 Nov. 1916

My Darling

Your lovely little letter3 came this morning — I am afraid this won’t reach you till Monday but it is the only moment I shall have for writing until I get into the train for Manchester.  It was a joy to get your letter. No, I didn’t bring the hot-water bottle — so of course I didn’t give you a thought! My lecture last night was rather a frost — the people are not so keen as in Manchester,4 and I was very tired.  I fell asleep as soon as I got home, and today I am quite fresh.  I am staying with Barry Brown5 (didn’t know I was going to) — I always like him — I didn’t know his wife before — I am not yet sure what I think of her.  I gather the Convention6 tomorrow will carry the anti-political resolution. I don’t feel sure that I am against that — officially I am, but I have my doubts.

I had a painful time with Mrs Eliot7 and am very worried. I can’t make myself feel the Eliots’ affairs at all vividly any more, and it seems so cruel.

Darling, I long to be with you again. I feel only half alive away from you.  You are so wonderful. I keep wondering how far you will travel — You have travelled so far already that I feel sure you will reach wonderful new countries — where I have never been — but I shall try to follow you. Goodbye my dearest, my loved one, my heart’s joy.  I love you, I love you.

B.

• 1

  [document] Document 200039.

• 2

  [envelope] The Lady Constance Malleson | 43 Bernard Street | Russell Square | London W.C. Pmk: SELLY | 7 ? | 4 NO | 16 | BIRMINGHAM

• 3

  Your lovely little letter Of 3 November 1916 (BRACERS 112959).

• 4

  the people are not so keen as in Manchester BR had been giving the same lecture series in Manchester as he was now beginning in Birmingham. The series was “The World as It Can Be Made”.

• 5

  Barry Brown Alfred Barratt Brown (1882–1947), a member of the National Committee of the NCF. He chaired the meeting on 5 November 1916 in Birmingham where BR was one of the principal speakers. Brown became principal of Ruskin College, 1926–44. His wife was the former Eileen Cockshott.

• 6

  Convention The Midlands Division Convention of the No-Conscription Fellowship.

• 7

  Mrs Eliot Vivienne Eliot (1888–1947). For more information on her, see BRACERS 19062, n.5.