23 February 1922

Victoria Palace Hotel, Paris

Dear Ida
  Your Tuesday and Thursday letters have come. From them it seems you are waiting to hear from me still about the boxes. But your wire said you were sending them by G.V. unless you heard. I naturally kept quiet, which meant SEND. Do please get them off at once! Anyway - Grande - Petit - as long as they are here.
   We had better have all the bills, too, and settle them up. Yes we have decided to stay here and have entirely given up the idea of a flat. As a matter of fact I have begun to like being here in this hotel. It suits very well and the people are nice. I can work here, and am more independent than I have been for a long time. Even if the chalet were let I would not change.
   No, don't turn my nightgowns into pyjamas. They'd better stay as they are, thanks awfully.
Its the first I have heard of E's ‘character'. But I will send her one.
   You must think over the pension idea, won't you? I do not want you to do it if it is in the smallest degree distasteful to you. I feel I rather forced your hand and that was bad. My whole idea was to tide ‘us' (you and me) over until May. Once this treatment is over I shall be able to give you some more money. I mean enough for you to live on. Until then its a little difficult. It seemed to me, it still seems, the best way out of a difliculty all round. I have just heard from Hudson too, and little Doctor Watts; they must be paid as I am no longer there.  [To Ida Baker, 24 February 1922.]

Dear Mrs Jones,
   I am so very sorry to hear what a bad time your brave little Hugh is having. It must be an anxiety to you! Must he really have another operation for adenoids and tonsils on Saturday? I wonder if you have heard of the great success of a hospital in Chelsea where children are treated for both without operating. I read a good deal about the whole subject recently in the Daily News but unfortunately I did not keep the letters. They made a strong case for not operating. But you must know a great deal more about these things than I do. I do hope that, in any case, Hugh will soon be better. Its warm and sunny again here; I hope it is in London. I shall try and get out and send him a little Easter gift.
   With our very best wishes to you both
              Yours sincerely
             Katherine Mansfield Murry. [To Alice Jones, 22 February 1922.]