13 Aug 1921

13 August 1921

Chalet des Sapins, Montana-sur-Sierre, Switzerland

You're the greatest flirt I ever have met - a real flirt. I do wish you weren't. With all my heart I do. It seems so utterly indecent at our age to be still all a-flutter at every possible glance. But - there - I still hope one day you will be yourself I am not going to flirt back, Miss & say how I want you as part of my life and cant really imagine being without you. The ties that bind us! Heavens, they are so strong that youd bleed to death if you really cut away. But don't. Oh please don't make me have to protest. Accept! Take your place! Be my friend! Don't pay me out for what has been. But no more about this. Ive no doubt Ill get a card today saying your idea is to go out to Africa and so on and so on. I really mean it is detestable.
E. is as mad as a sober Swiss can be. I think she puts all the thick soups into my hot water bottils.
When you send papers - get a label the size of the paper! Otherwise the copy arrives torn, black & disgusting. Didn't you know that? And I cant help the illustrator. It was so like Clive to ask who he was - S0 tactful!
You can, in spite of my rages, read as much love as you like into this letter. You won't read more than is there.
Katherine.
What about money? Be frank!

[To Ida Baker, Collected Letters, 20 August 1921.]