Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Hannah Ritchie
Date
19 Nov 1922
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL028
Date
19 Nov 1922
Transcript
Sunday
My Dear Hannah
You are an extraordinary generous pair & kind beyond the dreams of kindness.
Just as I set about inhibiting a desire for China Tea comes a parcel of it – and figs – a delicious bon bouche to have kept up your sleeve & sent after me to make it more absolutely nice. I am enjoying myself. Thank you ever so much. The Tortoise is a huge success & roars & crackles & gives out a fine heat - & no tears – its period of hibernation is happily at an end. I now know what slow but sure stands for – horizontal & single pipes don’t suit its digestion – but an upright pipe does. In my plainest Saxon I told the plumber that he wouldn’t get a brass farthing till it was put right. So now I am facing the music with a much lighter heart – it is wonderful the difference mere warmth makes.
I am posting you some berries in the morning. It was great fun gathering them but a prickly job. I was soon joined by Leslie – Molly – Doris who had a holiday as the School was being “sweeped up all over a’cos of the votin’.” They helped pick the “arr – iss” and I picked the ripes being slightly taller. “eldin” berries were gathered but were a bit juicy – the blue berries must be black thorn? They called them ‘slams’ & said the birdies liked them best of all. Ask no questions about the marigolds & you will be told no ________.
Mrs Bryce & daughter have gone to Town for the winter – they have a Studio flat.
I have ordered the ‘New Leader’ & am reading it instead of going to Church! Much better for me.
Today you are caravanning with Miss Nicholls I hope it is as mild a day as with us – foggy rather. I shall start a landscape of the valley if tomorrow is fine.
I am proud to tell you the smaller parcel of frames has been unpacked & no breakage. I shall not tamper with the larger one till I get to London.
Please post the 2 receipts. I held them back in case the 3rd turned up – wh it hasn’t – I see I muleted you out of a shilling.
No more for the moment. I just wanted you to know how much more fun there is to be got out of life with China Tea & Figs than without them.
It isn’t a good thing to drive your car over yr own toes. This is what poor Miss Red Van has done. Also some blackguard has damaged the innards of her cars (maliciously) & cost her £50. Dastardly isn’t it? Best love to you both – jointly & severally. This is meant for you. Yrs ever F H
My Dear Hannah
You are an extraordinary generous pair & kind beyond the dreams of kindness.
Just as I set about inhibiting a desire for China Tea comes a parcel of it – and figs – a delicious bon bouche to have kept up your sleeve & sent after me to make it more absolutely nice. I am enjoying myself. Thank you ever so much. The Tortoise is a huge success & roars & crackles & gives out a fine heat - & no tears – its period of hibernation is happily at an end. I now know what slow but sure stands for – horizontal & single pipes don’t suit its digestion – but an upright pipe does. In my plainest Saxon I told the plumber that he wouldn’t get a brass farthing till it was put right. So now I am facing the music with a much lighter heart – it is wonderful the difference mere warmth makes.
I am posting you some berries in the morning. It was great fun gathering them but a prickly job. I was soon joined by Leslie – Molly – Doris who had a holiday as the School was being “sweeped up all over a’cos of the votin’.” They helped pick the “arr – iss” and I picked the ripes being slightly taller. “eldin” berries were gathered but were a bit juicy – the blue berries must be black thorn? They called them ‘slams’ & said the birdies liked them best of all. Ask no questions about the marigolds & you will be told no ________.
Mrs Bryce & daughter have gone to Town for the winter – they have a Studio flat.
I have ordered the ‘New Leader’ & am reading it instead of going to Church! Much better for me.
Today you are caravanning with Miss Nicholls I hope it is as mild a day as with us – foggy rather. I shall start a landscape of the valley if tomorrow is fine.
I am proud to tell you the smaller parcel of frames has been unpacked & no breakage. I shall not tamper with the larger one till I get to London.
Please post the 2 receipts. I held them back in case the 3rd turned up – wh it hasn’t – I see I muleted you out of a shilling.
No more for the moment. I just wanted you to know how much more fun there is to be got out of life with China Tea & Figs than without them.
It isn’t a good thing to drive your car over yr own toes. This is what poor Miss Red Van has done. Also some blackguard has damaged the innards of her cars (maliciously) & cost her £50. Dastardly isn’t it? Best love to you both – jointly & severally. This is meant for you. Yrs ever F H
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McCormick
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