2110-3-1-22

76, PORTLAND PLACE, W.

June: 21: 17

My dearest wee Mother

I send you two copies of the poem on Alastair. I have tried to keep it very simple. Tell Nan that the ballad referred to is "Sir Andrew Barton". It is in the Oxford Book of Ballads. I do hope you won't think it too unworthy.

The little memorial service for Robbie yesterday was very impressive. Ivor Robertson conducted it with extraordinary dignity & beauty. The few words he said were perfectly classic, in form. I made rather a mess of it, for the whole thing was so sad & I was thinking so much of Alastair that I had a break in my voice all the

time I was speaking. I am so sorry that the 'Times' cut down Walter's thing so terribly. They had very little room & they seem to have had a biography already.

I got home last night at 10.30. Thank goodness I shall get down to Kent tomorrow evening. If you write to me to-morrow you had better write to Kent. There is a post on Sunday morning.

It is much cooler & fresher weather to-day. We are all very well. I do hope you are keeping up, wee body.

Much love

Your ever loving

John