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25 June 1922

Hotel d'Angleterre, Montana-sur-Sierre, Switzerland

Ah, Mr Gerhardi, I love the country! To lie on the grass again and smell the clover! Even to feel a little ant creep up one's sleeve was a kind of comfort. . . after one had shaken it down again. . .
   I have been thinking about your book today. I see it is announced in the Nation. I do feel little Cobden-Sanderson is the right man for a first novel. He has not too many people; hes very keen; and he advertises well. Also he has a very good reputation and people are curious about his books. They look out for them. I am very anxious to see a copy and you may be sure I shall tell my friends not to miss it. What are you writing now? Have you begun another novel? Is it possible to write at Oxford. You always sound so gay - and I feel the little telegraph boy you mention in your letter was the last of a long line of little telegraph boys. And shall you go to Garsington, I wonder? I don't mind Lady Ottoline's dresses. If you know her you accept them; you wouldn't have them different. They are all part of her. But they do offend your sense of the trés chic, I feel. . . It is a pity. Julian, the daughter, is very attractive. And she's so fresh, so unspoilt, young in a way your Nina is young. [To William Gerhardi, 14 June 1922.]