16 February 1922

Victoria Palace Hotel, Paris

The Mountain is at Montana, settling up the house & looking after the pussy. This is an excellent hotel. We have two rooms at the end of a passage, cut off from the rest of the hotel with a bathroom and masses of hot water. Rooms cost from 13 francs a day. There is a lift of course and one can eat on the premises. If I were you Id come here at Easter. All rooms have hot and cold water. After 7 months in that cleanliness I feel water and soap are the great necessities. M. and I have settled down according to programme, as we always do. We work, play chess, read, make our tea and drink it out of nice small bowls. I can do nothing but get up and lie down, of course, and Manouhkin says in three weeks I shall have a real reaction & then be able to do even less than that for the next three weeks. Its rather like waiting to have an infant - newborn health. My horrid time ought to be just over by Easter.
   I must begin work. Seven stories sit on the doorstep. One has its foot inside. It is called The Fly. I must finish it today. This is a hard moment for work - don't you feel? Its hard to get life into it. The bud is not up yet. Oh spring, hurry, hurry! Every year I long more for spring.
   Of course I will seize the first chance to speak of your ears. My plan is to ask Manouhkin to the flat. At the clinique he is so busy and never alone for a moment. But Ill have a shot there, all the same. Its difficult too because he speaks hardly any french. Goodbye dear precious little artist. Ever your loving
                  Tig [To Dorothy Brett, 14 February 1922.]

Dear Ida
   If the boxes are going to take such a long time (i.e. three weeks) to arrive I see no point whatever in sending them. They had far better come with you as your personal luggage even if you don't return for a month. I can manage more or less with what I have here. And Id rather do that than pay vast sums to have my clothes sent by post. I shall send you the keys today. But don't send the boxes. Let them wait until you are ready to leave Montana. I don't think I care what Dr H. thinks of the climate of Paris . . .
Please try and sell the notepaper.
          Yours
               K.M.
Everything is quite all right here. But why repeat such stupid remarks about the climate of Paris. Its hard enough to have to bear it without being told so and so doesn't at all approve of it. What tactlessness! Dont you feel it! Please repeat to me NOT ONE word about what he says of the Manoukhin treatment. Id rather not hear.
My dear Ida
I open my letter to acknowledge yours.
(1) Of course we must have references! It is absolutely essential for many reasons.
(2) Ill post my keys tomorrow. Send as little as possible at that price (15 francs).
(3) Will you try the Palace for selling skis. If you can get nothing they had better be stored as you suggest.
(4) Blow the old crepe de chine jumper. I shall never wear it again.
(5) No, why should Mrs M's letter come there?
(6) Why didn't you send the D.N? [Daily News]
(7) Why not give the address to the P.O. at once?
(8) Please call me K.M. - not K. I never feel like K.
(9) Jack must have the parcel from Collins at once. It is proofs! UNpack parcel & send as printed matter & chuck out Jacks original copy. He only wants the PRINTED PROOFS - not what is cut out of papers. Love to Wingley. [To Ida Baker, 16 February 1922.]