BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, [7 MAR. 1918]
BRACERS 19298. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<London?>
Thursday night.1^, 2

My Darling Love

It is a great blow that you have measles3 — how beastly for you — I ama sorry — it is horribly uncomfortable, but the bad part ought not to last long. It is a fearful nuisance tho’ because you remain infectious for a good while, which you find very boring. I had measles years ago, and am not likely to catch it again — and if I did, it would be a reason for putting off my trial,4 so it would be all to the good. So as soon as you feel convalescent I shall come and see you — Be careful about your eyes — don’t read or write much even when they seem fairly all right again. Don’t dream of trying to write to me till you are ever so much better. Miles5 will tell me how you are from day to day. As soon as you feel well enough to think you would like me to sit by your bed, let me know and I will come — you ought to begin to be convalescent quite soon, if all goes well.

Goodnight dear one — All my sympathy and love.

B

• 1

  [document] Document 200286.

• 2

  [date] Colette wrote “7 March 1918” on the letter.

• 3

  measles After recovering from influenza, Colette had now contracted measles.

• 4

  my trial BR had already been sentenced on 9 February 1918 to six months in prison for the writing of  “The German Peace Offer” (B&R C18.01). He is referring to his appeal.

• 5

  Miles Miles Malleson (1888–1969), Colette’s husband. For information on him, see BRACERS 19046, n.4.

Textual Notes

• a

  am Underlined five times in a continuous stroke.