2110-3-9-10

Peebles

21st Feb. 21

My dear old John. Walter read aloud the last chapter of "The Path of the King" yesterday & we both wept - and then I read it all from the beginning & I think every chapter, almost, reduced me to tears! It seems to me the best thing you have done. Every episode is so perfect - the whole idea so beautifully worked out - and never a word too many! I do hope the book will be a great success & that the foolish critics will see its worth. I was amazed to read in Punch a glowing review of St John Lucas' new book "The Plunge". I had just finished reading it & I thought I had rarely read anything so poor & un-living: the characters were mere puppets Either I am no sort of judge, or Punch is 'obliging' a friend

Walter & I have been shouting over Max Beerbohm - Dr. Johnstone & the curate - 2 The Pines - -

Please thank Susie for her delightful letter. I do like to hear about Bill. I am looking forward enormously to seeing you all again. I think the best plan would be if Mother and I came up about a week before Walter & had a quiet time with you all at Elsfield. I do hate travelling alone & it would be so nice having Mother with me & we could spend a night in London on our way. The difficulty is getting Mother to move. She is a done crop to lift! She came home from Broughton today looking much the worse of her visit to her sister. We have been at a tea party. The house cleaning is practically over. We are going to Glasgow on Thursday for the night. Walter, like me, is tremendously impressed by "The Path of the King". We can't think how you do it. When I think of my efforts, I feel like covering my head & howling like a dog. I shall write to Susie after the Glasgow visit. I enclose a letter from an American which may amuse you. What does old R. N. mean?

Very much love to all, & congratulations & most profound respect for your new book from Anna