ENPages
page_0001
3, TEMPLE GARDENS, TEMPLE
23: 6: 05
My dearest Mother
Your last letter and Anna's made me very unhappy. I am not going to scold you – far from it, for you all seem to me to be rather wretched. It is not only money that is the matter – it is because you are too preoccupied with one thing – that cold Kirk of yours – while Nan has nothing to occupy herself with. I am very sorry for you all but especially for my old Nan. She is suffering what any one might suffer who has an extended horizon and a limited opportunity. It is a complaint common to most
page_0002
young women nowadays. Had I been a minister in Glesca [Glasgow] & William a doctor in Strathbungo, and had we all lived together there would have been no horizon, & therefore no complaints.
I do not quite see how it is to be remedied – for the present at least. When my own plans are uncertain it would never do for me to start an establishment & have her keep house for me. but one thing I am going to do. I am going to open a banking-account for her, and pay into it £100 yearly. That will give her pocket-money for clothes & any travelling she wants to do. I look to you all to see that she spends it on herself or at any rate by herself.
I can't imagine why Maud hasn't asked
page_0003
her to London this month; but I shall find out on Sunday. August will suit me quite well for taking a house. Could you not get Altarstone? I will pay expenses. I will come up for the weekends. It is my only chance of being with you, you know, & I want to see you all out of Glasgow for a bit. The only objection is that August is my likeliest time for being able to get a week or 10 days abroad, & Anna & I might have to leave you.
Richard Brown came up on Wednesday & is anxious for me to go down to Hangingshaw for a week-end. I may try & manage it some week when I can get the Monday off, for I want to see Yarrow in July.
I am dining out – heavy London dinner
page_0004
parties – practically every night for the next 3 weeks. I wish I could hand on to Nan a form of frivolity which does not amuse me. I sent you 3 novels yesterday which I brought back from S. Africa.
I am very busy, but I fear my Peerage case is going to be settled by an Act of Parliament, which means that I shall not have the same fee as if it had run its course.
Isabel Gathorne-Hardy is engaged to a man called Humphrey Portman. Strachey is back rather tired & gouty, but pretty hopeful about his chances.
Just one word. Try & look on the bright side of things & remember that it is a duty not to complain. As soon as you begin to crouch under any trouble, it gets twice as heavy.
Much love to all
Your affectionate son
John
