3 March 1922

Victoria Palace Hotel, Paris

By the way do you remember the brown china bear on the top of the black what-not? I can see it! And I happened to read in the Daily News the other day that the "latest fashion" was a china mustard pot - very chic in the shape of a tomato. This was one of Aunt Kittys wedding presents at Clifton Terrace. So wags the world. I expect all her mustard pots have been sterling silver long ere now not only with the lion on them, but shaped into roaring lions with their tails for spoons. Oh dear, having got so far I do wish I could go further and find myself with you two clears, in your own home. I hope your weather has improved. It is still warm here. All the puddings have changed into little ices in frills and I was quite glad of the electric fan playing on my fried whiting at lunch! We shall have very special tea parties when you come in May. Jack has discovered a marvellous shop for cakes. Not those fat Jewish cakes with a bird's nest in icing on the top and a chocolate bird sitting on plaster of Paris eggs but short crisp delicious tiny ones - all kinds, little whiffs. These with his pate de foie sandwiches are a tea for the Duchess of Devonshire. But I keep on planning what we shall do in May. I am so glad this hotel is so good. You and J. can have a very large double room with your private bathroom etc. for 25 francs a day. A most sumptuous bathroom and ones own little hall door shutting one off from the outside world. Such a point in an hotel. I do hate the feeling that everybody is running past ones very toes as one lies in bed. I am sure you will love Paris. It is a beautiful city. So airy, on such a noble scale. [To Charlotte Beauchamp Perkins and Jeanne Beauchamp Renshaw, 1 March 1922.]

Send this cutting back - will you. I thought you might care to see the kind of thing they are saying.
My dear ida
   Your Saturday-Sunday letter gives me the impression that you are unhappy and restless. Is that so? Tell me! What do you do now. I suppose I hope and trust the ‘settling' of the chalet is over. All is in order? And Ernestine capable of doing all that is to be done. Do you see your girls? Do you find people to talk to? How do you spend your days. I should be very interested to know. Dont focus on Wingley, tho' he is a nice cat. You have books in plenty and wool. But books & wool don't make life. I don't want you to feel stranded up there - cast away. ‘At any rate' here is March. If you feel you can't stick it just take someone until the chaffauge is no longer necessary and then shut all up. If it must be so - it must. All is well here. I have lovely marigolds on my table. Flowers are cheap now. Reviews of my new book are pouring in. They are extremely favourable so far - much more so than Bliss. This is indeed surprising. I have not sent you a copy because I have not got one to send. The second ‘batch' has never turned up. [To Ida Baker, 2 March 1922.]