BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, 24 OCT. 1918
BRACERS 19376. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

<Abinger Common>
Oct 24. 1918.1^, 2

Beloved

Your letter came3 by 2nd post — I was glad — I had been thinking there would be none. It was a heavenly letter and warmed my heart. Now since I have begun writing your wire4 has come — Monday will be delicious if it is fine.

Trains back in evening: 5.45, arriving 7.39
    8.5, arriving 9.59
Trains down: London Br. 9.35 Gomshall 11.8
    11.10, Gomshall 12.47

I suggest 8.5 back, as then we could dine here. Tell me what train you will come by and I will meet you, with a motor if possible. How delicious!

I have talked with C.A.5 about you. He really has a great affection for you and admiration, but he has been shy and frozen. Now he is rapidly thawing. Don’t mistake shyness for hostility.

I don’t want to stay beyond Monday and would rather come back with you. This place6 is doing me worlds of good spiritually and physically and by Monday I shall be sizzling to get to work.

I will study Mrs Saich’s7 bill and tell you the outcome.

My Cherub, Love, I am sorry you are depressed — I wonder why. You need not be as regards me. What has troubled you? — Lulworth8 was heavenly, and I find the memories it left are glorious and wonderful.

Do try to love C.A. He means so much to me, and is so very ready to love you. He is quite like his old self again. I am immensely happy with him. I do so love his kindness to everybody — I pity Clare9 going to S. Wales —

I wish we could have had your birthday together —

Do tell me why you are depressed. I hate you to suffer. Your letter is very dear — Goodnight Darling. My thoughts are with you always. B.

• 1

  [document] Document 200366.

• 2

  [envelope] The Lady Constance Malleson | 44 Great Cumberland Place | W.1. Pmk: ABINGER COMMON | 8 |OC 24 | 18. Written on the envelope: “wire just come <w>riting”.

• 3

  Your letter came None of Colette’s letters are extant for the Autumn of 1918, only a listing which is described as “indicating the day to day happenings as well as something of the flavour of his first months after Brixton” (“Letters to Bertrand Russell from Constance Malleson, 1916–1969”, p. 293.) The entry for 23 October reads: “She is staying with her mother and makes haste to tell him that she has paid bills for £63; and that she had been ‘happier than I knew — at Lulworth.’”

• 4

  your wire Of 22 October 1918 (BRACERS 107352).

• 5

  C.A. (Reginald) Clifford Allen (1889–1939). For information on him, see BRACERS 19046, n.5.

• 6

  This place BR was staying for a few days with Clifford Allen at Abinger Common.

• 7

  Mrs Saich BR’s cleaning lady at his Bury Street flat.

• 8

  Lulworth BR and Colette were together at the Cove Hotel, Lulworth Cove, Dorset, 16–19 October 1918.

• 9

  Clare Clare Annesley (1893–1980), Colette’s sister.