19 March 1921
19 March 1921
19 March 1921
Villa Isola Bella, Menton, France
Your telegram about Wingley came late last night. It was very thrilling. I long to know how he was found, and even more, if possible, what was the meeting like between Athy and him. I envy you seeing that. I hope you really saw it and can tell me what happened. It is a great triumph to have found him. But now the question is - what to do with them? If we were not leaving for Switzerland I wouldn’t hesitate. But all these train journeys — arriving at hotels, and so on? Would it be torture for cats? I feel the cats’ first need is a settled home, a home that never changeth. And I know that is just what I am not going to have. At the same time the idea that they should be destroyed is horrible! You see, just suppose you and I hear, when we are in Switzerland, of another place & decide to try it. Or decide to make a sea voyage. Or . . . so much is possible. We couldn’t ever leave the cats with Jack, & to take cats where they are not wanted is cruelty. I confess I don’t see a way out. If Richard were older Id suggest asking him to mind them. Id better leave it like this. If when you have thought it over you decide it would be an unhappy life for them or impractical for you - have them destroyed.
[To Ida Baker in Collected Letters, 20 March 1921.]