2110-5-9-34

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

17th November, 1931.

My own darling

I missed hearing anything but the end of Amery 's speech, but S.B. and Austen Chamberlain, with whom I had tea, thought it went very flat though the material was good. Our dear Leo never seems to quite get the ear of the House. Runciman made an excellent speech, and his provisions to deal with dumping seem satisfactory.

Then I went to the party at Grosvenor Street, which I thought exceedingly successful. I offered your mother tickets for Thursday, but she wants to come to Elsfield. The company was very interesting and mixed, and Alice seemed to be a tower of strength. Theodora and John Benson drove me back to the House - pleasant people with the Jewish element strongly developed!

I dined with K. [ST - Mrs Walter Elliot] and met Jim Wedderburn, John Loder, Baffy, and R . Bernays [Robert Bernays]. I feel K's aggressive Liberalism a little wearisome.

I saw Archie Sinclair at half-past nine over the Palestine question, and then had a heart-to-heart talk with him about his behaviour in Scotland. He makes out a certain case for himself, but like all Liberal cases, it is very near the border line. However Archie is such a great dear that I forgive him anything .

It is cold and foggy today, and poor Mrs. Killick has a terrible cold which I hope I won ' t catch .

I hope you will have your mother down to keep you company while I am away.

I will have a comparatively quiet day today , but tomorrow I shall be very busy.

Much love,

John