Tuesday Nov 27 Dec 1st

Was given 50 million (small dose) injection against streptococcus aureus (boils) by J.F. He jabbed me in the chest: I couldn't stand the assault on my stomach.

Cabled to Random House in reply. Brother Harry Throughout AntiguaIn the first edition of Anitgua Penny Puce, the "Letter to Brother Harry" was mistakenly addressed to Brother Frederick,(pp.125-128), while Harry Young was correctly named in the court scene (p. 181); in the Random House edition, The Antigua Stamp, the name "Frederick" has been replaced with "Harry" "throughout Antigua" as Graves dictates in the cable of Dec 1, 1936. eds Graves The girl thought it was code.

*Graves has relocated the four encircled lines at the end of this entry from the Dec. 2nd entry eds. Jenny told me she was ill.

Nan to supper

Discussed with Laura and at 3 am decided to send for N.N.

Wed Dec 2

Refugee film all morning and afternoon.

Carlow to tea talking about printing and T.E.

Jenny

see overhand drawn line indicates reference back to previous page eds.

Nan

Thursday Dec 3

Jenny problem

N.N. came up.

saw Freeman

interview with Peytondoctor? eds. – bad. Put things in J.F's hands.

J.F. & Maisie to supper.

N.N. all day, and Jenny. Decided N.N. should take flat in London while Jenny went on with dancing.

Mrs Simpson crisis started publiclyThey, having TIME, & being subscribers to Claud Coburn's The Week, had long been in the know KG.

Friday Dec 24 nd th

Another boil injection by J.F.

Nancy, most of the day.

Finally decided that Jenny must go down to Sutton Veny; and persuaded her. Car fire seen from kitchen window. Sally came, was lovely.

Supper at Prada with Richard, N.N., Jenny, Laura. New blue suit and smoke grey-waistcoat.

No work for three two days.

Jenny did not keep 11 oclock appointment so Laura & I went to Curzon House: thence to

drawing of Appletree Yard

saw W.N. & Margaret Steen. Then Nancy & I fetched Jenny from Dorchester to Betty Colquohoun's flat in the George St Mews.

Crowds shouting: God Save the King from Mr Baldwin.

Saturday, Dec 3 5

To J.F. for advice

Took Jenny to Curzon House and settled up. Then to station & saw her off.

Saw Sherrick at Dorchester (with Pamela Boscomb who sympathised with me as Charles ' brother and had tried to save Peggy from marrying her him ) who was sensible and helpful.

Wrote to N.N. a long letter indicating that P.M. had deliberately tried to force a marriage by blackmail.

Dinner at Ward & Dorothy: Janet present looking 35 and talking nonsense.

Allan from Oxford. We talked Personal Relation scheme until late.

Welcome letter from Hillgarth: money has arrived, he has seen the Deyá people, is sending the mss manuscript , all quiet, food not too bad though bread coarse. And letters from Juan, Anita, Magdalena, Gelat.

Sunday Dec 4 6th.

Resting.

Wrote to Mrs Winston Churchill about Jenny and to Winston suggesting the the prophetic application of the Ass in The Lion's Skin fablefrom Aesop's Fables: i.e. "Clothes may disguise a fool, but his words will give him away."? eds. – Baldwin the Ass being the traditional name, like Reynard the Fox, Bruin the Bear.

Laura reading Troy proofs.

Working over refugee scenario notes.

To a News Theatre. No news at all, only cruel Walt Disneyscartoons eds. and dismal songs and travelogues. Reaction of dirtiness in this world.

Monday Dec 5 7

Refugee scenario again.

Rang up Denham: they will send contract for ref. film & we shall have it ready within a week. Claudius scenario in transition owing to Von Sternberg taking over from Menzies and Biro's illness. Claudius film mss manuscript arrived from Hillgarth.

Wrote to Jenny. Sent cheque for £18 to Sherrick following telephone conversation about dresses. She wrote nicely to Laura and me.

Dreadful depression all over country about King & Mrs Simpson. O.K.'s offer of seat in Members' gallery, refused. Loyal toasts proposed in cafés

David turned up suddenly and healthily on way to Cambridge to sit for JesusJesus College? eds. exam.

Honor brought Heathen typed. Alan started a novel at Laura's instance Year of Damage KG, Maisie after supper. Eden finally admits to Italians at Majorca.

Tuesday. Dec 8

Went to buy Xmas Christmas scarves for Marguerite and Betty McCormack? Culquohon? KG. Also bought copper coal-shovel for Honor, two more pewter ashtrays, and two Staffordshire cats, Francis and Frances, for 10/- each.

Letter and present of pins from one Jens Jensen of Denmark.

Honor and Gordon and Alan.

In afternoon fixed up Lawrence book arrangements at a meeting of Trustees Lawrence Trustees eds. – present Eliot, Durnaypossibly Colonel Alan Dawnay? A former correspondent of T.E. Lawrence's (W.G.), but we have not been able to determine whether he was a Trustee of the estate. eds., Arnie, Carlow, Forster Morgon? KG; definitely E. M. Forster. eds., L.H. me. None of the Trustees has read the book! Agreed on 1000 copies limited publication, & trade edition after official Letters published.

Gloomy feeling that Edward will abdicate following hopeful morning feeling that he will give up Mrs S.

Laura doing Troy proofs still.

Am getting much too fat.

Agreed to sell Lawrence letters for £300.

A walk with Laura to Piccadilly (saw unserious car accident) and back by bus.

Wednesday Dec 9th

The Simpson busines getting a damned bore: reports that the K. is drunk and incapable of making any statement. Shamelessness of press.

Jabbed by J.F.

Wrote to Jens Jenson, sending Maundy pennysilver coin eds.. We may go to Denmark in Feb. February

Letter from N.N. mentioning abstraction of watch by P.M.

Honor & Gordon.

Bought various small antiques for children's Xmas Christmas stockings: and sugar sifter for Canellun 4/6 (early Victorian plated)

Working a bit on Lawrence book.

Late to Maisie to discuss her living in Oxford: and Jenny problem possibilities.

All sorts of rumours about the King.

Enclosure – Clipping The King Abdicates

[No transcription of this item is available.]

Thursday Dec 10th

Going over Lawrence material. I suggested title to L.H. Confidences by T.E. Lawrence to his biographer etc.

Wrote twice to Nancy but could not send her information from J.F.(whom I saw in the morning) as to best course as to J's cure.

News of abdication from Dorothy over the phone. Strong rumours of Elizabeth as Queen, Mary as Regent.

Laura still doing proofs and shopping. She bought me a Dunhill cigarette lighter.

To Maisie's to hear wireless. Present: Maisie, J.F., Amy Strachey, Maritza Frischauer, Norman Lloyd Williams, Orford or whatever his name is, a girl called Pam or something who read my hand and noted its great improvement in the last 7 years, Tanny Browne, one Mrs Prior, Laura, myself.

Mary Hale and I agreed to stop smoking for a week. I have stopped drinking for a week, accidentally almost.

Friday Dec 11th

Going over Lawrence typescript.

Had to write 3 letters in all to Nancy and 1 phone call: re Jenny's treatment at Bath or elsewhere.

Harry Kemp came from Germany.

Parcel of special Christmas food from Switzerland.

Supp Dinner: Henry & Rebecca, Maisie, Alan, L and I. Afterwards to Maisie's and heard the King 'Prince Edward' broadcast his message in an angry, tragic, vulgar voice.

Allowed Mary 2 cigarettes, but no real desire to smoke myself.

Bought Laura puzzlebox for 2/6.

Karl changed his flat to 7 Dorset St.

Saturday Dec 12

Going over Lawrence typescript.

David came: took him out shopping (because Saturday) in Tottenham Court Road.

Laura still stuck over proofs: she went to Doctor: reassured about heart & throat.

To supper with Nan & Wilfred just back from Spain, not a success.

Interrupted by phone from Nancy, who can do nothing at Bath; thinks Jenny should come up to London.

Sunday Dec 13

Finished Lawrence typescript.

Laura still on proofs of Troy.

Allen and Karl to lunch: Allen has done 3 chapters of his novel 'Year of Damage'

Making out Constable list.

Walk in ParkHyde Park eds. with Allen: took a canoe on the Serpentine with him: 1/6 an hour in late afternoon smoky sunset, swans, gulls, sailboats, gloomy trees. Started up boil again.

Dinner with Mary & Bill Fuller. Hay diet and strawberry ice. Very quiet & nice. Sketched out Bill's legal novel for him: the title 'Greek Wedding'.

Have smoked one cigarette since Thursday.

Monday Dec 14

Met Nancy & Jenny at PaddingtonStation eds.

Straight to see Mac Ellicott. Was out. Lunch at Canuto's. Back. Settled Jenny in.

Laura had tooth stopped: by gas. Told anaesthetician as she came too to how grateful for first real rest for weeks.

Honor & Nancy met and Allan Alan. Nancy & Alan to supper.

Went with Nancy to Betty Colquhoun's flat: there met Margaret Frazer.

Wrote to Jenny, late.

Tuesday Dec 15

Nancy went off, after coming round to flat.

Letters.

Visit to Jenny, who was very quiet and glad to see me.

Robin Hale to tea: rather hopeless, just off to Poland.

Alan getting on well with novel.

Maisie's to supper: Joyce Forde and afterwards Professors Forde; & Childe (the ugliest man in London including W. Rothenstein) who had bad voices and bad manners. J.F., Violet, Douglas, West also. Low grade talk about traffic problems . and a field-work film which the professors were showing each other leaving everyone else in the dark.

Wed Dec 16th + 14 = 30

Reading Troy proofs: and going over them with Laura.

In afternoon to Jenny: happier. L. came too. Korda rang up: 'in 3 or 4 days'about the Refugee Scenario? eds..

Mrs Lloyd & Biddy to tea.

Also Audrey Beecham: first time to see us. Later met her and Neil Hutchison (B.B.C. Relations dept) at Café Royale.

Stomach ache, but worked with Laura, after, till until 2.30.

Today, Eden's reassuring statement about Spanish integrity.

Thursday Dec 17th

Proofs of Trojan Ending. Injection.

Audrey Harlow Beecham restless, nice girl: long talk with Laura

In afternoon saw Jenny, who gave specimen pages of her play for us to read.

Refugee contract: no mention of L., so L wrote to K.

Tea with Sally at 5 Hereford Square. Discussion of history: history as morality, and repetitive morality.

Harry & Alix: Came at 9 stayed till until 12.15. Laura feeling bad with mild flu. I took aconite & staved off a flu feeling too.

Friday Dec 18

Met Sam at Charing CrossStation eds. & found Catherine at flat when I came back. Took them Christmas shopping in neighbourhood. Sam gave me red leather note case, & Catherine a key ring. Sam gave Laura Red Geranium scent – Catherine a small steel box with a blue agate top.

Karl took them to Ward to be photographed, then Laura took them for more shopping, then I saw them off to Wiltshire, in same carriage with Biddy Lloyd.

To Dentist for stopping that had come out.

Black rang up to apologise for contract affair. Norman to supper.

No more appetite for cigarettes.

Sat Dec 19

Proofs of Troy all day.

To Belleville. Jenny silly again about P.M.

Got angry.

Laura wrote to N.N. about her and a strong letter to Jenny herself.

Alan manfully doing his 10 pp pages a day.of his novel? See Dec. 7th entry. eds

Nice note from Korda.

Rheumatic shoulder.

Sunday Dec 20

Alan went off early.

Proofs of Troy.

To Belleville: row and ultimatum.

Proofs.

Visit to Alix at 5 Nottingham St where she told of the death of Bavariarefers to Bavaria (Germany)'s loss of autonomy under the National Socialists? eds..

Then to Maisie where Tim is.

Proofs till until 2 oclock.

Monday Dec 21

Proofs.

Dentist: third attempt to stop tooth

Visit to Jenny with Laura.

All right again there.

Am now smoking four cigarettes a day.

Dinner with Douglas West: Maisie there. He was nice, but little got said.

Proofs again till until 1.30

All these days thousands of Xmas cards & presents

Our cards athave[?] eds. the Deyá shield the year 1937 and the word courage!

Cover of Trojan Ending from John.

Tuesday Dec 22

To J.F. for injection.

Bought pair 1750 candle sticks, London pewter with round bases & octagonal flaps: £2. Proofs. Sent off telegrams to Cochran etc for Jenny.

On way to Jenny's, met P.M. in hall who gave me watch, said nothing. Addressed to me, no note inside. This made Jenny silent.

Bought more Xmas cards & things.

Apples from Mr. Neale.

Marguerite & her husband (insurance chap) came & brought cake & pudding. Joyce came and brought picture Return from School. I bought old Bristol glass marbles 2d each & more Chinese ones, also glass picture of sportsmen for Honor 5/-, and 18th inlaid easel for John 5/-. With Len & Karl & Joyce to eat at Guy's Snack Bar: then to see propaganda (Montague) Defence of Madrid film at Besant Hall.'Besant Hall' is located immediately behind the Theosophical Society's London headquarters in Rodmarton Street. A former mews building, it was converted into a small lecture hall. eds.

Proofs till until 2.30.

Wed Dec 23

Proofs.

Bought more marbles at 2d each and Bantu combined spoon and knife in wooden sheath 1/6. This had a B.M. British Museum case no number (196) on it. Also a horn whistle. 3/-. Dorothy & Ward gave me handkerchiefs and a round ribbed mahogany box-let. Sam & Catherine's photographs.

To Jenny: she behaved very well and is ever so much nicer when than whenKG claims "than when" is correct eds. I come alone.

Last minute shopping. Less crush in shops than yesterday. Post is behindhand.

Harry & Alix to Irish stew. These nights we seem to work regularly from 10.30 to 2.30.

Proofs: nearly ending.

Carl did Heathen sketch cover.

Enclosure – Handmade Christmas Card to Laura LAURA from Dear Laura

figure – red ink print of duck with words MERRY XMAS Christmas

This is just a joke till until I send you the real one. I think its lovely – but CN. is shocked.

Merry Xmas & Happy New Year

Thursday Dec 24

Presents including China poodles from N.N. and wine-glass from Catherine, box-wood bottle-&-case from Honor & Gordon.

Alone to Jenny: who is anxious about time for evacuation"concuation"(BG): no such word; deliberately made unreadable? KG; release from hospital? see 20 January, 1937 eds..

Hollied the flat. Honor & Gordon about all day. Proofs. Sherry at Douglas Wests & gave toys to children. Maisie's flat in a state of chaos, Xmas Christmas and Tim . Mary finished late & then went off until Saturday.

Proofs late – 2.30

Enclosure – Handmade Christmas card to Laura from Catherine To Laura

figure – red ink blockprint of a seal overlooking the water

Gelat An unclear message is written on the back of the card: Am returning this in a hurry CN

From Catherine with love. Merry Xmas Christmas .

Friday Dec 25th

Presents from Lucie & John. From Picture of Cowboys near San Francisco, a set of mock-Roman buttons, bead teapot stand, small gilded glass-bottle.

Got breakfast. housework.

Lovely Christmas dinner at Maisies. Laura Maisie Honor Gordon Julian Alix, Karl. Turkey, Mosellewine eds., pickled damsons, cranberry jam, mincepies; a Christmas tree with electric fairy lights presents. Laura got a Trojanish cream-jug (Wedgewood slip-ish) I a pair of nutcrackers.

To Jenny for 2 hours. Laura talked her sensible, after tears.

Proofs.

Party at J.F.'s. Present Margaret & her husband (& child upstairs) J.F., Violet, Tristram, Honor, Gordon, L, me, three others Ruth Pat etc. Played charades: Elisha, Levita, Isabella II. Then Advice. Then Fort Belvedere. Jenny complications. Wrote to N.N.

Sat Dec 26th

Proofs. Mary returned.

Lunch. Gordon Honor Julian. Question arose of pebbles in bowl in bolero Gordon's Roman-à-clef KG; a love-novel see 5 March, 1936 eds..

Belleville.

Tea party at Maisie's.

film of Tim & pigs.

Honor to supper.

Proofs till until 5 am

Sunday Dec 267

Critical Spanish time: waiting for Hitler to make up his mind.

Finished Troy at 12 o clock midday.

Belleville.

Ros came, & found us out.

Tea at Maisie's.

O.K. took Honor, Laura & me to supper at Josef's.

(Still talking about King).

Problem of G.Glover and talk at Maisie's till until 2 o'clock.

Monday Dec 28th

Scenario. Laura so busy could not go to Belleville.

Got extension of scenario till until Saturday.

James and Mary, David Reeves to supper & talked late.

Cleared off 13 letters for Laura while she dictated scenario to Karl.

Tuesday 29th

Injection. Boil nearly gone.

Cheese from Alix.

Difficult time with Jenny.

Lawrence Laura getting on well with scenario.

Mary down with flu. Her sister Violet stopped the night.

Letter from O.K. rejecting Troy cover: angry but letter calm reply from Laura.

Another letter from Jens Jensen, with crayon sketches of Sønderborg

Wed 30th

O.K repl

Philip came, but could not identify Lawrence sketch. The inscription at the back is by an ignorant Arabist, probably English & is meant to be T.E.Lawrence, Arabia. He said he would press F.O. Foreign Office for Internationalizing of Balearics.

Lunch with Mother & John G at Victoria station – John on way to Austria. She bought me a pocket comb.

With Laura to Belleville J. very nice.

James & Mary.

Maisie to supper.

I took Maisie to a dancing film (Astaire & Rogers) while Laura dictated to Karl.

Enclosure – Clipping from Daily Telegraph, December 31, 1936: A MEMORABLE YEAR IN RETROSPECT

[No transcription of this item is available.]

Thurs Dec 31st 1936

O.K. replied not graciously.

Got breakfast.

Mary behaved as if she were dying. J.F took swab but found no diptheria.

Teeth cleaned at W.Turner's.

To Selfridge shopping for Laura.

Nancy came up. Lunch with Laura at Canuto's: then to Dr. Wright who talked over Jenny case & gave advice.

With Nancy to Belleville (gave her the horn whistle) Nancy went off at 6 o'clock. Boil reappeared.

Ordered golden bean to be engraved for Jenny in commem. commemoration of Follow the Suna Revue in which Jenny performed: see note June 27, 1936 eds.. Norman to supper. Then on to Alix & Harry's, (where sherry, coffee, games (and Moses ...) Then and Book Reviews, Grab-hanky, Three chairs) Then with sparklers to flat, & champagne New Year for all, including James & Mary with addition of Maisie and J.F. Night Custardan elaborate copy-writer's joke by Norman & his friends at J. Walter Thompson KG jokes. New Year wishes remembering Deyá . Karl, first foot. Resolutions Maisie for Laura 'no smoking', me for James 'poems', James for Harry, 'don't worry about job', Mary for me comb-drill, Karl for Maisie change flat, Laura for Alix Go big with Cheese, me for Mary Write the Macdonald book, Mary for Karl Pas pleurer Don't cry eds., Dorothy & Ward rang us up. We rang up W.N. Also the Freemans. Sent night letter to Jenny for 1937.

Maisie gave me a torsoiseshell tortoiseshell gold & silver brooch, & I, her, handkerchiefs.