Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/113
LINCOLN COLLEGE,
OXFORD.
16.x.99

My dearest Friend,

I was much
relieved to hear news of
Irene. The news itself is
not, altogether pleasant,
still it is better than no news.

I was glad too that my
letter had reached her -
pleased her. So far I have
had no reply. The pity of
it seems to be that she is
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contempt for his writings. But he
now has a new interest for me, &
besides as a man he may have
good qualities, tho assuredly he
has bad ones. Perhaps I shall
meet him. I half hope I do:
you see, he might be able to
help me in literature. Always
remember, too, that Perris
is fond of him , & for
Perris I have a great
respect.
He has begun rather soon
to make use of here, I think

not passionately devoted to him,
& is perhaps revelling chiefly
in the new (illegible) , both
physical and mental. When
the connection is severed she
will probably acquiesce very
soon, & then - what?

She may find someone even
worse than LG (if he is bad):
she lays herself open to
the production of bastards, & to
the catching of ineradicable
diseases. Marriage, except to
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the sort of man who would just
as well make a light
mistress of her, is now
almost impossible. Then
what of her old age ? What
if she lost her employment
? She has us for friends
& I should enjoy
even a difficult hospitality to
her in Wales or elsewhere ;
but she can hardly rely on that.

On the other hand, we may be
wrong in our very bad opinions
of him. As you know, I have
always felt something like

drunk coffee last night. They were
rather silent & things went
slowly until music was dis-
cussed, & then Parsons was
interesting. He is very ugly &
has not pleasant manners.

But Hiley who is equally
timid is not ugly and has
much grace.

I am about to go on
the river with Davies, so
this letter will be short as
will as chatty.

& what the devil was she carrying
wine about for Had she been
buying it? 6 bottles weigh
almost as heavy in the hand as
in the head, too . . . . However
this is Irene’s first taste of
Experience , & I am inclined to
expect good things from it. Her
mind will change vastly. I
only hope she will (illegible)
literature, which will be a
solace to her afterwards as well.

Morgan and I had a very
good time yesterday in the country.
We talked a great deal, seriously
for the most part - about
our Schools, our futures after
that, about literature,
about Haynes. Morgan is
concentrating himself upon his
History, but still keeps up
an interest in his new
favourite.
On Saturday night

MacAlister called and we had a
long talk Which was very
pleasant, tho on casual subjects.
He is very friendly , I think,
& I am to have tea with
him today.

On Saturday I (sic) night I called
on young Parsons. He is
a small, spectacled, pious
youth , but plays respectally (sic)
on the piano. The same
night I called on a Marlborough
boy named Hiley at Queens;
& these two came in to

LINCOLN COLLEGE,
OXFORD.

I am glad you continue
your Diary. As for a Subject
for an Essay I have no
time to think , but would
suggest that you should
write your recollections of
the National Gallery Leonardo
Our Lady of the Rocks. Will you?

The mantel cloth you
might make wide enough
(15 inches) to cover the shelf & to

hang down ; & your suggestions
are altogether as I should
have liked ; but make
the border very narrow,
scarcely more than 1/4 inch.

Remember me affectionately
to Irene and to Mary.
And kiss Mother for me ; I
will reply to her soon.
Ever and wholly I am
Yours, my own sweet
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little one, Helen. Goodbye.
Goodnight!

Edwy.