8 Aug 1921

8 August 1921

Chalet des Sapins, Montana-sur-Sierre, Switzerland

  The weather is superb, here. There has been a battle of the Wasps. Three hosts with their citadels have been routed from my balcony blind. In the swamps, still white with cotton grass, there are hundreds of grasshoppers. Jack saw an accident to one the other day. He jumped by mistake into a stream & was borne away. Body not recovered. When we thought about it - it was the first real accident to an insect that we remembered.
  Richard I must start work. Jack's novel is going along at a fine pace. Ill tell you when the old Sphere prints any story of mine that might interest you.
  I still have so much to tell you. Ive only unpacked the little small things on top. All the big heavy ones are underneath. What are you drawing? How are you? Is it still summery? Lovely summer is! Have you had any bathing this year? You always look awfully at home in a ‘watery element'. Dont bother to answer these questions.
  Goodbye for now.
Ida Baker, who lives about 2 miles from here, is going to England this month & is going to bring back Wingley. Athy is married to an elderly lady in Hampstead, I believe, a widow. She lost her first husband - a lovely tabby - some taime ago.

[To Richard Murry in Collected Letters, 9 August, 1921.]