19 Aug 1921

19 August 1921

Chalet des Sapins, Montana-sur-Sierre, Switzerland

I feel far away from London just now. Things sound so queer by the time they reach us. What did you think about the Lawrence book? I agreed with what John wrote in The Nation. It seems to me there is something hopelessly wrong with Lawrence now, & don't you feel, too theres a kind of devilish exasperation & even as he would say PURE stupidity? It makes me groan. I wish I could find a really good book for a change. Is Romer Wilson a great person? It is tiring not to be able to admire things; I always long to though my enemies don't believe me.
  Are you at work on a new novel? I have just finished six stories and am imbedded in the seventh, at that stage when one is frightened of the story flying away before you really have caught it. Dear knows how long these have taken me, though . . . I wish I knew what you were feeling about your work. J.M.M. and I seem to be starting a small boarding school for 2 boarders only with a little mixed dormitory with our two beds setting to corners. One feels awfully not grown up in Switzerland. Do you know that feeling? Its the kind of place - or perhaps it is this house - where one sits on stairs & where the window on the landing becomes really important again not only a bowing acquaintance - Our servant too, wears a yellow velvet bodice with black stripes on Sunday & every day she is wreathed in positive beams.
  And for Socierty Gossip . . . Mr Hugh Walpole has been staying in the neighbourhood - on (most strangely!) his way to Venice. I mean, it seems such an out-of-the-way leap. If only I could think you would come next year!
  Goodbye for now.
  I am your loving
                              K.M.

[To Sylvia Lynd, Collected Letters, early September 1921.]