Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/105
11.v.99

My dearest friend,

I can do little more than say I am well and more cheerful than before, and then answer what requires to be answered, in your letter.

You remember you said that on no account must my people know: well, they would know, if yours knew; so that before attempting to get the £150, it must be certain that you can to it without the knowledge of Mrs Noble. I hope that is clear. Have you ever thought of asking for a part - if only £5 or £10 - just before leaving home? It would help, I should think an (illegible) would be simple.

As to leaving home, things have turned luckily; but I suppose it is still uncertain what

am writing just a little at the "The Caryatids". The Speaker haven't paid me yet, nor said anything about my article which they are considering. It is hard; Davies is earning far more than I at work, not his best and which even he despises, and his powers are inferior to mine. I wish I could get a kind of secretaryship or else a tutorship in the long Vac.. I suppose I could not teach Mrs Logan's Children? Perhaps she has friends who have of such a person in the Summer.

I suppose Mrs Hooten visits Mrs Logan and will then learn the news.

Give my love to the Nobles, please. I am too busy to write.

I await the future.

Goodbye, sweet heart. Every and wholly yours, my own sweet little one - Edwy

adieu.
you can do when you leave the Logans in July? You say you will be among kind friends, at the Logan’s - have you any reason for expecting they will help you? is Mr Portbury rich?

Now as to my coming to town. Of course the chief object would be for what you say, I suppose the money can be got somehow. You must let me know when you go to the Logans; then ask Mrs Logan - if you think she has room etc- whether she can put me up for a night, and on a what day; the day must be a Tuesday, or Thursday a week after you write, so as to give me time to ask leave at College. I think I shall cycle, for we really can't afford fares. Would there be any reason against our sleeping together at the Logan's? The ceremony - or whatever you

call it - will take place on the morning after I arrive. Why is the fee so much as £2? Will it be by special license, can Mrs Logan be witness? I don't know from whom we can borrow £2.

You ask me if I know anyone who might help us in the point of money. Well, I have not told Haynes anything yet; in fact I haven't seen him since the Wednesday night before you came. But when I had told Morgan, and we were talking about finances, he said Haynes might be ready to help, as he had already offered Morgan one or two hundred pounds to help him at Oxford. I shall tell Haynes every thing sooner or later; but some help from him is very uncertain.

You ask if I too feel any joy at the thought of a child. I confess I have felt it considerably, but I do not know if it is a decent joy

I am managing to work fairly well, and