2 March 1922

Victoria Palace Hotel, Paris

Darling Marie & Jeanne,
   Will you accept a double letter this time? I can't tell you how I appreciated yours. Praise from other people is all very well but it is nothing compared to ones family. And you always have believed in me so generously Marie that I am more than glad I have repaid a little of thatbelief. It is only a little - a drop in the ocean. Ive got an awfully long way to go before I write a book that counts. I marvel at the kindness of the papers. But I expect some are saving up to give me a whacking.
   So old V. [Vera] has gone back to Canada. I wonder if I shall see her and her boys. She feels further away from me now that she has been over here and we have not met. Has she changed much? But thats hard for you to say for you have been seeing her during these years; we haven't met since John was new-born. Elizabeth says Mack is very prosperous. I always thought he would be. I hope V. has her share of it - I mean takes her share. She always erred on the too generous side.
   Your crocus border fills me with envy. How I love them! Its strange we should all of us Beauchamps have this passion for flowers. I shall never forget the large glass vase of sweet peas in my bedroom at Woodhay when I spent that weekend with you nor the easter lilies in the drawing-room. They sit in my mind, fresh and lovely for ever. At the moment I have a large bunch of the good old fashioned marigolds on my table, buds, leaves and all. They take me back to that black vase of ours at 752, one that you used to like to put mignonette in. It was a charming vase and well in the van of fashion, wasn't it.  [To Charlotte Beauchamp Perkins and Jeanne Beauchamp Renshaw, 1 March 1922.]