Scope and Content
"Many thanks for your letter, and all the news. Now as to this sweater. I quite approve of the navy shade of the sample you enclose. So that settles that. Now as to the length, I think the best thing is for me to post on the blue pullover Anne knitted, and this I will do tomorrow (I am not moving outside today, as there is a fierce cold wind blowing). This pullover is now an exact fit, after many literal ups and downs! When Anne first sent it, it came down over my hips, and I didn't like it. Colonel Douglas's wife took it and shortened it, but something went wrong, as it then stuck out at the back like a sail (it was alright at first but it went like that). Then Mrs. Hughes' sister, visiting here, a very expert knitter, took it and brought it to its present shape, which couldn't be better. I am rather queerly built, I think. I am shorter that the average in the body: arms and legs likewise! I always have to have shirt-sleeves shortened: I can never get a pair of ready-made trousers short enough. Fortunately, I am not fat, so when it comes to latitude as against longitude, I can hold my own: chest 40", waist 30-31": which is very good for my age, and the result no doubt of regular exercises. The sleeves of Anne's pullover, by the way, are long, and I have to turn them back. After all this, I shall not be surprised if this is the result! [Newspaper cutting attached to letter, showing a cartoon with two men and a strangely-shaped knitted jumper.] The "bent-arm pullover", by the way, is the name of an exercise done with a barbell: so you see the point!
The Mrs. Hughes referred to, by the way, is the wife of the architect of the Cadogan estate. He told me that his office, or their London flat, I forget which, is opposite Sir Albert's. He knows Sir A. and thinks a great deal of him. He has made great improvements to their flat here; the best, and most expensive, one in the castle - on the terrace. He bought it after the wealthy man who owned it previously dropped down dead in New York: thrombosis and only 45.
We hold the ball in Frank's flat - the lounge and dining hall of which were part of the original ballroom. He divides the two ends with a screen normally, but when pushed back, it makes an ideal ballroom, with a splendid floor and high ceiling. The large central space you saw, what we call the Rotunda, was carved up into a flat. We said no one could ever possibly buy such an odd place: but we were wrong. One of those loud-voiced women who always have a meek little husband in tow who never opens his mouth (we have another couple exactly the same) arrived after years in the Far East and plumped for it! They gave a housewarming cocktail party last Saturday to which we were all invited. I must say the flat looks better now it is furnished and decorated, but I should hate to live in it! Frank is now talking of selling his flat and buying one in London. I may have told you he gave up his job as Schweppes representative for E. Kent in October. He said he didn't like all the drinking he had to do in the pubs he called at: and he had to do it willy-nilly as part of the job. It looks as if his next job will be in London: though he hasn't hooked one yet: hence the idea of selling the flat. He is an extremely nice fellow, and will be very much missed. Of course, I have told him he can always come here for a weekend when he wants to. Anyway, he hasn't gone yet, and he doesn't seem to be in a hurry about a job. They seem to be having a jolly time in Switzerland. The snow has come at last.
Yes, I saw in the Telegraph about the Rector and the bird-bath. It is typical of the C of E. The Rector is supported by the Diocesan Advisory Board, and then the Chancellor gives a ruling against them: thus bringing the Rector and the Board into disrepute, and giving the methodist lady a chance to crow!! I'm afraid I don't wade through the engagements in the D.T. so I missed Peter Seabrooke's. I diligently scan the Deaths column. I can't remember Joan Wise at all. Did you happen to see McCorquo-Lewisham interview in the cutting I enclose (it was on ITV)? It was quite killing!! the one McCorq male (her son Ian) present said nothing except that he adored his mother, adored his sister, and adored his grandma. All the women, including grandma, spread themselves all over the place.
Returning to the sweater, I see I have forgotten the neck! Again, I have a short neck, and the smallest possible roll will be adequate. I hate to feel strangled, and one can always fill up with a scarf.
Do tell me, does Simon Houfe share his pa's enthusiasm for B.I.? Or has it died down all round now? He never spoke to me after that "sermon" i gave about B.I. It was one of a series and took in Christian Science, Spiritualism, and something else.
I saw that Mrs. Pinny had died - a rough and ready type of woman, but I always liked her. No more this time. I will pay return postage on Anne's sweater.
Yours sincerely,"