2110-5-8-4

St. Stephen's House, London, S.W.1.

28th January, 1931.

My own little darling

I was delighted to get your letter this morning. I must find somebody else for the Durham dinner. I think I will try Walter Elliot.

I have not yet seen Blanchie, so I think you had better give up any idea of coming up this week. I may see her tonight when I go back to dress. She had a good day yesterday, and slept peacefully all night; but as she is full of radium she must be rather uncomfortable. But she is reading and seeing people, and seems to be in quite good spirits.

Peter came to see me yesterday, and I told him to invite himself for some weekend to Elsfield. His father is home now, but will have a slow convalescence, and his mother seems to be in a great state about the grandmother' s death. Poor Peter looks rather harassed.

We had all the honours of the debate last night. I did not attempt to get in. It was chiefly a quarrel among lawyers. Simon made a really brilliant speech - far the best I have ever heard from him, and extraordinarily witty. He did not leave the wretched Bill one scrap of substance. But it is clear that the Liberals are going to run away, and I think the second reading will be passed tonight by about twenty votes. The feeling against the Liberals is getting very hot, both in Labour and Conservative

ranks; but nothing to what it is in the country. Beaverbrook, I am sorry to say, is about to make bad trouble again.

I am lunching with Ralph Hodder Williams, and then have a long Ashridge meeting, and then dine with the Liverpool University Association and speak to them. I must be back at the House by half past ten for the division.

Circe has got a poisoned mouth, and is having a miserable time with the dentist; but I cannot spare a moment this week to go and see her.

I am writing this in the morning, for I do not think I shall have any time this evening.

Much love John