We had a delightful Sunday at Mrs Campion's. A lovely old house not very
far from Oxford: grey stone walls, a hall with the walls left bare and a
few bits of good tapestry and another panelled room. Freda was there,
and Lavinia Wray, who has just come back from South America. She is
looking so well, her lovely skin whiter than ever and those huge
eyes--George liked her enormously. He had never met her before. How
wonderful it would be if that could come off. It would be exactly right.
Of course I am sure Mrs Campion wants it and is not likely to do
anything stupid. I shall get Edith to help later if possible. She is
still in the country now. Mrs Housman has come back to London and I
hear from Randall that Housman is mad about Mrs Park. I shall go and see
her next week. George is in good spirits. When I got back I couldn't
bear the sight of my flat with those glaring curtains and I have
committed the great extravagance of changing them. The new ones are
coming next week. I hope they will be a success as I shan't be able to
change them again.
Yrs.
G.
_From the Diary of Godfrey Mellor_
_Monday, October_ 11_th._
Dined at the Club.
_Tuesday, October_ 12_th._
Had luncheon with Cunninghame to meet his sister, Mrs Howard. She is
older than he is and less communicative. Her husband is on the Stock
Exchange. She was only in London for the day but she said she hoped I
would come and see her when she settled in London later. She has a house
in Chester Street.
_Wednesday, October_ 13_th._
Dined with the Housmans last night. A. was there, Miss Housman and Mrs
Park. I sat next to Mrs Housman. Mrs Park contradicted A. when he
mentioned music and said something about the gross ignorance of English
amateurs. After dinner she asked Miss Housman to accompany her. She sang
some operatic airs and Gounod's _Ave Maria_. I drove home with A., who
told me he could not bear Mrs Park.
_Thursday, October_ 14_th._
I am just back from dining with Lady Jarvis. A. was there, Miss Wray and
several other people. Lady Jarvis asked me if I had seen the Housmans. I
told her about my dinner there. She said that Mrs Park was an
intolerable woman: she knew her when she was a singer and she said she
had never met anyone who gave herself such airs. Walked home with
Cunninghame, who was dining there too. He is dining with the Housmans on
Sunday. The Carrington-Smith divorce case is in the newspapers.
_Friday, October_ 15_th._
Dined at the Club.
Mrs Carrington-Smith has got her divorce.
_Saturday, October_ 16_th._
Spent the day at Woking with Solway. He has finished his Sonata.
_Sunday, October_ 17_th._
I went to see Mrs Housman this afternoon and found her at home. After I
had been there about five minutes a great many visitors arrived and I
left.
_Letter from Guy Cunninghame to Mrs Caryl_
HALKIN STREET,
_Sunday, October_ 17_th._