Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/76
6 Shelgate Road
27.12.98

My dearest Friend,

I can say nothing sweet until I hear certainly about our
good fortune - perhaps it is nothing else. I can only hope, besides of course fretting and doubting: in fact I have lost much time by my penances of this kind.

Still you yourself are hopeful, and that is much.

There! I can say no more, except about matter of business.
I heard yesterday from my Oxford bookseller. I owe
4.2.9. I have nearly 2.0.0. and can get 2.2.9; so is it by any
means possible for you to give me nearly 2.0.0 for a time?
It is simply imperative.

Elizabeth Jenkin comes to London on Thursday for good - living of course with her sister, far from here; and I shall
very likely see her on Sunday. I find it

hard to think of her, and to think of speaking to her, while we are in this dubitation. She is so funny, asking
"Are you willing that I am to come, or would you rather I
stayed in Wales?" "To be unwilling" is Welsh-English for "not to like" eg (a thing, an arrangement). "To be willing"
means "to like" or "to be glad". "I am not half willing he is
going away" " means "I am vexed he is going away." Poor
me!

Try to trust in me, sweet heart. At least I hope soon to be
your truest, fondest friend Edward and you ever my own sweet little one, my anemone maid, Helen. Goodbye! I
don't think I shall come before Friday; if not, I will at least
write again.