Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/60
17 Woodville Street
(2 Aug 98)
My dearest friend
Only a word, because the post goes at once.
I am out, until later. for I decided to wait for an early post tomorrow, so as to send a longer message.
The fact is, I have been all day at (illegible) and didn't get back, and find your letter, till 7 in the evening.
I am now sitting with (illegible) and my cousins on a gate, watching a luminous space of sky, with trees against it, and evening coming on ; in a peace almost as sweet as that in which you sat and wrote to me, at Wimbledon.
I have a lovely picture of you there, and shall have, in the calm of solitude tonight, Oh! yes, sweet heart, I do understand the joy and
Satisfaction of soul you had, thinking of your love & its hopes. I rejoice & congratulate our fortunes, when I think of the change for the happier which has come to us, with its gift of peace. I have suffered nothing, but intoxication of quiet joy, in your company since that happy July day; and even now I count over in a miserly way all the signs & words of our intercourse by day & by night since then. The crown of my joy comes now, when you tell me that you feel all is well, that nothing is lost while we certainly gain Happy& beautiful Helen
Haste again! I am going to post this tonight; it will go at 9 tomorrow;- and [illegible] is waiting.

You would laugh to know what my amusements are!- mere jests of the slightest character; rough simple ways; and very little thought. It is certainly
good for me physically, though I am a little dubious about its ultimate good. They are too lenient: - that make, it flattering.
Believe me, these scrappy notes do not represent my feeling, which is deep, continuous, and steady. I think of you always, happy, admiringly, pleasantly. Tell me more about yourself, just as yesterday, all, all It is so dear to me. And ask me about my thoughts and work, so that I may not be quite a thoughtless creature.
I have been showing Gwili “the Harp of Tristram" and "A Wild Flower" [Nimne and Belles] tomorrow he will tell me his opinion.
I am picking up a little Welsh day by day, to everyone's amusement.
Ernest failed in his art exam, most unluckily.
Do let me go and (illegible) reproach. Let me kiss you, kiss you
limbs, your breast, and your half shy forehead. There! how I
worship you, little one. A happy kiss.
In life I am your truest fondest friend Edw and you ever my own
sweet little one, Helen, my anenome maiden.
My dearest friend, Goodbye.
I wish you health and safety.
I love you alone, entirely,
Fare well.