2110-2-11-11

KINGS LAND, SHIPLEY, HORSHAM

February 3rd., 1914.

My dear John Buchan,

As you will perhaps have seen by this time in the papers, or have heard from friends, I lost my beloved wife after the unexpected grave turn of an illness which had not hitherto been anxious. I lost her in the course of last night. Under these circumstances you will understand that I cannot be certain at all of what my powers of work may be in the next few weeks or even months, for I am very severely affected.

It may be that I shall recover the full use of my pen promptly; it may be that I shall never recover it.

Under the circumstances there seem to be two honourable issues to the great delay I have already caused you, and to this further uncertainty.

Either I must find your firm the money that they have advanced and then, no longer feeling that I am in their debt, complete my contract as best I can if my invention holds out; or, I must say that for the further delay that will now be involved a penalty should attach, in which case the most convenient thing would be to give up the extra £250, which would otherwise be due

upon the completion of the Pageants and of the "1812" as preliminary payments.

Under this second proposal you would again, presumably, have to wait, as I should feel that in sacrificing something I had made some little redress for the inconvenience I have involuntarily caused your firm in the past, and may now, under such bitter constraint cause it int the future.

Do not, I beg of you, answer this letter by return, nor for the next two or three days. I shall not be free to give any proper consideration to business I fear. But when all that I have to do is over, and I think it will include a journey with my family to my birthplace, tell me how you look at the matter.

I must complete this letter by thanking you very heartily for the great courtesy and consideration your firm showed me, and what is more for their generousity which enabled me to save my health last year at a most critical moment.

Goodbye my dear Buchan.

Always yours,

H.B. [Hilaire Belloc]