Scope and Content
"At last I am getting down to my letters again. I went into a private ward at Margate Hospital on the evening of Passion Sunday (March 27th) and was first on the list for operations next morning. The operation took 1 1/2 hours. They must have dosed me well with anaesthetic, as I did not come round till 6pm, when I asked what the time was, and then went straight off again until 3:30 next morning, when I woke with a burning mouth, and a tongue like a piece of hard, dried leather. The cup of tea they brought me was not the Earl Grey blend I favour here, but it tasted better than any I have ever had. My eye was bandaged - there were stitches in the corner where the tear-sac is - but they let me have 1 1/2 eyes after the second day, then 2 eyes. I still have a certain amount of congestion, but it is going down, and the operation has been a complete success. I got out on Monday in Holy Week, feeling none too grand after a week in bed. They said I was a model patient! The surgeon has been in today to have a look at it (he plays golf at the links over the way - supposed to be one of the finest golf courses in England - but I was never attracted to the game). Anyway, I decided to be "convalescent" over Easter: so apart from going over to Deal on Saturday night to take an early service and assist at another on Easter Day, I did nothing. I cannot tell you how glad I am to have this tiresome eye trouble behind me! It had become really a worry this winter. One of my keen cycling friends came from London for the holiday, so I got my bike out and we went exploring the villages of Thanet; the weather was sunny, but definitely too cold to linger on the beach. I am afraid this is a rather draughty corner of England. They prefer to call it bracing. You know what that means: plenty of East winds! However, it seems to agree with me, for I feel very fit.
We had a pleasant trip to Sandwich, a quaint little town of "ye olde". Canterbury (an easy run from here of 17 miles) I have yet to look forward to seeing. I remember having a day trip there when I was curate at SJDK. It must have been about 30 years ago! On Easter Monday, my film star "nephew" Vernon Gray, turned up, with another young actor, John Frazer, recently on TV. Of course, I was out, and missed them: but my friend George Petrie next door entertained them until they went, exactly 1/4 hour before we returned. It is nuisance having no telephone. I have applied for it, but they make the usual excuse of having no appliances etc. to spare, and will put me on the list! There is, in fact, a call box in the main hall of the castle, but it is in a region of unfinished flats, so no one but workmen are there during the day, and no one at all at night.
I went up to London on Tuesday and had two nights at my Club, and did some shopping, saw some friends, and did a theatre: "Serious Charge" at the Garrick: a rather unpleasant theme about a clergyman being blackmailed by a youth: but an excellent play, i though, and quite credible.
I am sorrty to hear the Rector was ill over Easter. He does not seem to be too strong. However, I can't boast! Laryngitis seemed to be my chief enemy in Holy Week. Do you remember Dr.Macklin's funeral, when I could not speak a single word, and everything went wrong? Who lives in the Macklin's house now, by the way? Referring to your first letter, I do hope you are going to accept the offer to become the County Cadet Officer. You will do it much better than Mrs.McCorque. I'll send you a large powder compact for you to shower the clergy with! As for her daughter, Raine, I hear and read a lot about her from time to time. She was leading lady in that play "The Frog" a lot of society people did at the Scala Theatre last year. She called in an interior decorator to do over her dressing-room which she used I think for three nights: his bill alone would have provided a fat cheque for the Charity they were supposed to be getting the play up for. Actually I saw the room the following week, as my friend Dr.Ian MacQueen was judging a physique contest run by "Health and Strength" at the Scala, and Mrs.Legge's room was full of big, hefty young men rippling with muscles like footballs, admiring the exotic background. But they say she is a very intelligent and sensible young woman. She gave a lecture on the history of London to the men in Wormwood Scrubs, and she is I think actually on the London County Council. I expect, however, you know all this, as she gets plenty of space in the newspapers. I do miss them very much, as I always read the Telegraph in the morning, and the Evening News at night. One of the things I miss most is the Deaths column in the Telegraph. There is nearly always someone I know, have known, or known of. Now we shall not know who is dead and who is alive, as they will never catch up. When I am abroad, I get someone to cut out the column every day, and save them for me, or send them on.
It looks as if poor Eva is in a bad way. That bronchitis seems to be her big trouble. You must tell her when you see her that I think of her, and remember her in my prayers.
And now at last I must bring this long letter to an end.
Yours sincerely"