2110-1-5-9

Vincent's Club, Oxford.

Nov: 10: 99

My dear Mother

Many thanks for your very kind letter. Willie went away last night. People were very kind to him, and he seemed to enjoy himself a lot. I should think he was quite safe for a scholarship.

I am very well, and you must not take me too seriously. I shan't take nasty lodgings in London – only unfashionable ones, and it will be very good for me to have to lie low and work hard. If I had got a fellowship

this year, I should probably have gone hunting and expensive things of that kind which I couldn't really afford. I shall have between £200 & £250 for the next 2½ years, and I should be able to live comfortably enough on that in a quiet way. I wonder if you remember that you owe me £10. Please pay it into my account when you can manage it.

I am very annoyed by a vicious attack upon the All Souls Election which appears in a paper called the X. It is violently in support of me, but I am very sorry about it. I like Malcolm so much, and it is sure to hurt his

feelings. He came to see me last night, and was very nice.

My essay on Lord Buchan approaches completion. I mean to start on the Chancellor's Essay as soon as it is finished. I have begun the study of law in earnest, which I like very much, but I have been compelled to spend £5 more than my college prize on law books. I shall take Maud a book for a present. I shall probably come back here on Monday afternoon. To-morrow I shall spend house-hunting.

Many thanks to Peter for his

able letter. I hope the old Nan is enjoying herself.

With love to all

Your affectionate son

John

Uncle Willie has been very kind. Aunt Kate has sent me Gilian the Dreamer.