2 Nov 1921

2 November 1921

Chalet des Sapins, Montana-sur-Sierre, Switzerland

   Jack and I are fixed here for the next year and a half We have a furnished chalet, very snug in every way, rather ugly, but with views that are really superb. We are pn the threshold of our first northern winter. I wish you could give me some hints in the management of snow! Its very strange to us. Ida is ‘attached'. She has a room out but comes here by the day and keeps interruptions away and acts in fact as a house-keeper and ‘official wife' to both of us. She is very good at the job. I could not possibly do without her. I am no good at buttons and puddings. It is a business arrangement tinged with sincere friendship. We get on very well. But there is no "minding the invalid" included, my dear. I hope, at the end of two years here to be able to resume a normal life. That is if everything goes on well. This is the first time I have really been able to take care of myself at all as I have to, and that horrible anxiety of separation is over. Jack loves this place and the life here. He works very hard, and so do I. We have done more work here than ever before. Even if it wasn't our ‘way of living' we should be compelled to, for Switzerland is quite the most expensive place I have ever known at any time. It is double the South of France and of course the exchange is against us. But there you are - I cant even keep alive at present anywhere else so here we must stay. What a bother! as Pa would say. Its no hardship as regards lovely Montana. [To Vera McIntosh Bell, early November 1921.]

Dear Mr Pinker,
   I enclose herewith a story called The Doll's House. It is very short. I think it is probable that The Nation would print it .... But I leave the disposal of it in your hands.
                            Yours sincerely
                        Katherine Mansfield [To J. B. Pinker, 2 November 1921.]