MAY 1938

Early in the month Graves and Riding entertain the poet Julian Symons for the evening, and Riding goes over one of his poems. According to Graves, "It was the first time Symons had been subjected to a literal criticism of his poems & he behaved very decently." It becomes apparent later that Symons did not after all find the session so satisfactory. Writes Graves a few weeks after the encounter, Symons "found Laura aggressive and wearing, and told Alan so: he told Laura & so a thing started." Of his own work, Graves writes, "Laura went over poems, early ones: suppressed two, worked on four."
Graves' contempt for rudeness and impertinence is clear in his response to the presumptuous demand of a fan: "Someone called Gardner sent books for me to sign unasked: I put them in a cloakroom at Piccadilly and sent him ticket. He replied I was no gentleman & full of my own importance." Towards the end of May, remarking on a visit from Dorothy Hutchinson and daughter Wanda, Graves notes, "sweet child but children tire me more than anything in the world." Even his reading material does not escape the scathing stroke of Graves' pen: "Read an American thriller Hot Gold: without enjoyment."
This month Graves writes several new poems and reworks several old ones. May sees drafts of "Flat," "The Miller's Man" and "In Procession." "In Your Name" (now called "At First Sight") and "Warning to Children" both receive more attention. Graves also continues to chip away at The Smuggler. Riding goes over Graves' newest poetry collection and finishes the Persian part of Lives of Wives, picks up Schools again and continues going over Harry Kemp's Left Heresy. She also works with Len Lye, and goes over Hodge's Year of Damage. Together Riding and Graves write the "mercy clause" to the protocols project. Liddell-Hart visits later in the month to go over the draft.
Dent has agreed to publish the dictionary, and Heinemann shows an interest in The World and Ourselves, although by the end of May the publishing house has not developed a publishing plan and seems not to have expressed further interest.
Graves has considerable contact with Jenny and David this month, the latter of whom stays the night more than once. One of his overnight visits results in a row with Graves about rudeness, but all is soon forgiven. Jenny is overtired rehearsing for the Cochran Revue, and is soon hospitalised with tonsillitis. Graves visits her frequently, and ends up paying her hospital bills. To Graves' irritation, Nancy refuses Graves and Riding's offer of a poodle: her letter turning them down is "queer," notes Graves. Catherine receives an invitation from Norman Cameron to play squash.
Mary Lucy returns to her husband, who "has become a good Catholic." Graves continues to buy trinkets and gifts for friends, including a Robinson Crusoe book for James Reeves. He makes a bead necklace for Mary Fuller, and makes two more necklaces from beads bought in the Church Street Market. Dorothy and Ward celebrate Wanda's birthday with a small group of friends. Later, Graves and Riding invite High Commissioner Mike Pearson and his wife Marion to dine at their home. Time is also spent with David Reeves, Maisie Somerville, Len Lye and Margaret Russell. Graves and Riding have decided to spend time this year in France, and to invite Margaret Russell to accompany them.
The health of both poets worsens. Graves begins the month with stomach problems and engages in a course of self-medication with brandy. Riding is tired and feels sick for several days. When she begins to suffer palpitations, the doctor is called in. He deduces that her heart is "merely tired" and advises rest. Graves develops a pain just above his liver and consults the doctor, "who hopes it is not stone or gravel." The month ends with both writers on several prescribed medications.
There are six enclosures this month: