Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Ree Gorer
Date
02 Feb 1937
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL243
Date
02 Feb 1937
Transcript
Studio Corfe Castle Tuesday 9.30 a.m. [c. 2 February 1937]
After wiring you yesterday Dearest Rée that I would come, I have slept, rather not slept, over our project and am now feeling by the cold clean morning light that I am absolutely helpless about getting ready in time feeling as I do, swollen glands & intermittent deafness don’t make you feel yr brightest and I strongly feel I must not let you down over the ticket by breaking down now or worse later.
How idiotically silly & stupid it is to get agitated over preparations for a pleasure trip – but so it is – a bad case of nerves following on this beastly bronchitis. Teeth business, which frankly is the root of the trouble. Doctor says I am alright & I pour Phyllosan into me on faith regardless of cost. Still I am shaky & unsure of myself, as you can see – doubting my capacity for enduring fatigue.
I am bitterly disappointed & sorry to drop out & fail you at the 11th hour like this, terribly chagrined at disappointing you. I hope to goodness it is not too late to prevent you paying for the ticket.
Please don’t write to Mrs Coggan about The Croft. I must wait a bit & see how I feel. The post-funeral atmosphere I feel might be oppressive & I myself may add to the depression.
Don’t be angry with me Dearest Ree. I know I am a d—d little Fool Frances
Corfe is a benighted spot - no shops - no one who can do a handsturn of dressmaking. Nearest shops Bournemouth, a long way.
After wiring you yesterday Dearest Rée that I would come, I have slept, rather not slept, over our project and am now feeling by the cold clean morning light that I am absolutely helpless about getting ready in time feeling as I do, swollen glands & intermittent deafness don’t make you feel yr brightest and I strongly feel I must not let you down over the ticket by breaking down now or worse later.
How idiotically silly & stupid it is to get agitated over preparations for a pleasure trip – but so it is – a bad case of nerves following on this beastly bronchitis. Teeth business, which frankly is the root of the trouble. Doctor says I am alright & I pour Phyllosan into me on faith regardless of cost. Still I am shaky & unsure of myself, as you can see – doubting my capacity for enduring fatigue.
I am bitterly disappointed & sorry to drop out & fail you at the 11th hour like this, terribly chagrined at disappointing you. I hope to goodness it is not too late to prevent you paying for the ticket.
Please don’t write to Mrs Coggan about The Croft. I must wait a bit & see how I feel. The post-funeral atmosphere I feel might be oppressive & I myself may add to the depression.
Don’t be angry with me Dearest Ree. I know I am a d—d little Fool Frances
Corfe is a benighted spot - no shops - no one who can do a handsturn of dressmaking. Nearest shops Bournemouth, a long way.
Sender's address
Studio Corfe Castle
Credit Line
E
H
McCormick
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