01 December 1920

1 December 1920

Villa Isola Bella, Menton, France

I am so very sorry you've had all that extry [sic] hard labour. And I hope your boats out of the storm now, at any rate & that it will sail in smoother waters until youve had a holiday. I ‘note' youll get here about the 22nd; youre very sensible to travel 1st class. Its madness to risk 2nd class anything, anywhere for the next 50 years at least. Ill go all through the paper today with a pencil & give you my views. Also your Art & Morality is come. I'll read that, today too. I sent off my reviews last night. Tomorrow Im going to wade into my story. Oh dear - curse this question of time! Its terrible here. I want to work all day. I shall never have the whole afternoon to spend looking at things or talking darling if you do come in Avrilo . Im simply rushing to catch up & shall be for evermore - what ever evermore may mean ...

You see I was right about the dinner, after all. It was very wise of the Princess B. to give you a lift home. I hope you do meet Anthony; heard from him again today. Hes a very nice little friend to have out the blue. Dont be suspicious about women. Are you really? Or is that your way. You're very attractive to women, as you know, but as long they don't interfere - surely you like knowing them. And you always can escape, darling, for though you are so tender hearted you're ruthless too. I mean if it was a question of a woman or your work - there wouldn't be a question would there? Otherwise I think you ought to enjoy them. [To J. M. Murry in Collected Letters 3 December, 1920]