2110-2-11-17

Thomas Nelson and Sons Publishers

35 & 36 Paternoster Row. London. E.C.

Feb: 18: 14

My dearest wee Mother

This is an unco ill day & raining hard, such a change from yesterday. I talked to Nan last night on the telephone. She said she was very well & enjoying herself. We are having some people to dinner on Friday to meet her - Mrs Sellar, [ST - Charles] Graves of the 'Spectator', Bernard Holland, the Sydenhams, & Charlie Lyall (the M.P. for S. Edinburgh).

Last night Susie & I dined with the [St. John] Hornbys in their new house in Chelsea. It is a most gorgeous place. His

Library is a room about 3 times the size of ours, & his collection of early books & MSS. is something wonderful. [ST note - Mr Hornby ran the Ashendene Press as a hobby - most exquisite printing & binding]

Lord Muncy's speech yesterday seems to have been very lame, & left everything unexplained. Poor devil! He can't be happy just now. I expect we shall win Bethnal Green, but there will be a big reduction of our majority in S. Bucks. Uncle Reggie is off in the rain to-day to vote.

Alec Roberts has commissioned me to buy him an old bookcase & I am to go up to £130. I will probably make an awful hash of it.

Much love to all

Your affectionate son

John