Sunday 26 January 2014

26th January 1934 - Mary to Terrick

Old Vicarage School
Richmond

Friday 8.45 am.

- Dear Old Thing - just a terrifically hurried note which must be finished in 10 minutes to say that I was talking to Mums on the phone last night & she seems to expect you to come down for weekend on Saturday - our last weekend at Dunally.

- You probably think it's only because she wants you to bring me home on Saturday night - and I expect half of it is - but when I said that I hadn't thought of asking you as you were coming half-term weekend - she said "Oh, do ask him" (possibly because we got to move somethings up to Saunton on Sunday!)

Anyway I thought I'd write it to give you a chance of getting out of it.  I can easily go home from Waterloo by myself - because it won't be so very late - & you're probably getting a bit tired of "necessary" weekends with the Ormistons - But I know Mummy honestly does like having you - because - after all - you are a "dear little boy"!

-  But you think about it - & perhaps 'phone me tonight after 10.40 - so I can let Mummy know.

Mr Lingwood isn't coming to the match - so you'd better think about that too! - Perhaps if you turned up about 3.30 - (& I should like you to) - I could get out of tea and we could take a bus to Golders Green & walk over the hill to Haverstock?  I should like that.  But if it's raining like it is now - the match will be scratched & I'll probably take Jill to a flick in town & could come on to Haverstock after that - if you really mean you'll give me some dinner - do you? - But if the match is scratched I'll phone you at the office on Saturday morning.

- Must stop & see to prayers - what hymn shall we have?

- Noone has 1½d stamp - heavens, what a life - 

                                   Love

                                              Mary P.
                                                          xxx

Sunday 19 January 2014

19th January 1934 - Postcard from Mary to Terrick

The Old Vicarage School
Richmond Hill
Ricmond, 0922

Friday

Have managed to get the weekend of 27th off, so shall love to come to Dangerous Corner that Saturday. Shall probably be polaying in Crosse match at school (Finchley) that afternoon - so it'll fit in well.  This time last week!
Anyway, having a wonderful time still.

Mary

Wednesday 8 January 2014

8th January 1934 - Terrick to Mary

186 Haverstock Hill
Hampstead
In case you forget

8th January 1934

Dear Mary Pleasant, 

The baby wasn't all it was cracked up to be.  Still, it was a good healthy specimen, and called me "Uncle Telewick."

Your writing didn't deceive me this time, though it was even less like your ordinary than the other.

I didn't refuse to come to the Old Girls' Dance because I didn't expect to enjoy it, but because I felt snorty at only being asked when someone else had failed.

______________________

Here I got up to phone Eileen, and spoke to you.  It was nice to hear your voice again.  It sounds beautifully "cushiony" over the phone.
_______________________

My cold is a lot better.  I am having a peaceable week until Friday.

Just spoken to Eileen.  She told me Mummy had not been well so I rang her up too.  She has had a weak heart these last few years and ought not to go rushing around.

Eileen suggested another dance for Thursday!  A parochial one in Forest Hill that we used to go to when we lived in South London, but I did not feel very keen on dancing three nights running, with you at only one of them, and she was not particularly struck on going either.

Although it is not a strikingly new remark from me I must say that I think it's a great life.  Some poet or other once said that the man who had been happy was forever unconquerable or words to that effect.  And when I am eighty I think no amount of disappointments, misfortunes or disgrace will ever erase my twenties and particularly my twenty-six from my mind; and even if my middle-age is one blaze of glory I don't think it will out-dazzle the brightness and freshness of being twenty-six and poor and in love with you.

However - and, be that as it may.

I thought my compliments would make you take notice, but I didn't think they would be incredible.  still I like a responsive audience.

I am writing awful rubbish.  You won't like this letter.  I hope I see you tomorrow.

Love

Terrick
        XXX

Tuesday 7 January 2014

7th January 1934 - Mary to Terrick

Dunally Lodge
Shepperton

Sunday  

3. p.m.

Have just come up to change to go out to the Binghams to tea - so this'll have to be in a hurry.

You left your hat & gloves behind - as doubtless you've discovered.  Will you be wanting them this week? - If so I'll devise some way of getting them to you.

What was the baby like?- we didn't do anything yesterday - just sat round the tire all the time and thought.  I seem to have thought an enormous amount these last two days - not about anything in particular.

I wish it were this time last week.  Flip & I went for a walk this morning.

I'm afraid Hodson is becoming a bit of a canker in us all - but you should see Mummy when he's not here.

I had an awful dream last night that some strange man was in bed with me.  Is this a bad sign?  Anyway, it woke me up!

During my free half-hour this morning I read up some history to do with the babes - about the tune of St. Augustine - & I went on & on & was tremendously thrilled to discover Edwy & Befgwa (?) & Dunstan all written about properly - just as they do in your play!  - Since then I've dug up all our reference history books to find their names again - it gives a long paragraph on Dunstan.  I should like you to write another play & for you to get me to hunt up references for you - but after Robin Hood.  Will you have me? - & I could type things for you too - it would be great fun!  I'd love you to be a great writer - only I'm afraid I'm too sceptical.

I must go down to tea now - please excuse this dreadful writing - but I'm not in the best of positions for letter-writing.

- Am longing & longing for Saturday.

Mary P.

P.S. Our weekend left such a definite impression that I feel quite different.  I feel as if I'd retraced my steps & started out on another route.

- would you like to write to me so that I get a letter on Saturday morning? - Or would that be greedy?

Wednesday 1 January 2014

1st January 1934 - Mary to Terrick

Dunally Lodge
Shepperton

Jan 1st 1934


Dear Old Thing - I am in the middle of writing my belated "thank-you" letters - and bethinking me of this, the sudden thought struck me that I was missing the most important "Thank-you" letter of them all.

- You're a dear - and have grown into the frightfully bad habit of spoiling me - so thank-you for that.

You chose me Three very nice books for Christmas - and thereby spoilt me again.  Thank-you for those too.

And last night you caused me to be raised to glowing heights - plunged in gloomy retrospection - vain with false vanity - proud with shallow pride - hopelessly bewildered with something I could not understand - and much too blissfully content.

For fall of this I thank-you tremendously - and then turn round and wonder why - .

- modestly yours

                 xxx  Mary Pleasant