Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/100
[page 4 ]
me alone.
Yesterday was a fine bright day, & in the afternoon I went for a walk with Collins. We passed through a wood all paved with fresh anemones and dog violets. We heard the nightingale saw a swallow. In some places the trees were more backward than at home, but the poplar in front of my window is lovely with leaves still expanding and catkins not departed.
By the way, I mentioned your proposal of a walk to Arthur.

[page1]
Lincoln College Oxford
23.iv.99
My dearest friend,
I am sorry to keep you so long without a letter, but of course I was busy on Friday unpacking, & on Saturday in discussing my work with the Dons. Today I am scarcely less busy, having been out with Haynes in the morning & with MacAlister in the afternoon. However I can

cover a little paper now & perhaps give you satisfaction. I am especially sorry to keep you waiting, because not only are you still full of regret for our parting, but you are suffering your monthly weakness - are you not , sweet heart?
It was very kind of you to write those two letters. Of courseI expected them in a way and yet they were a surprise. I Expected them just as if I went

to Swindon, I would expect to find the celandines and the violets in their places.
Things are with me exactly as they were last term:- there is a good deal of mixed pleasure, but very little satisfaction or feeling that things are as they should be if they were perfect. If they were perfect I would see hardly anyone but Haynes & Morgan & (illegible) & MacAlister & Davies; tho on the other hand neither of those people would like to be shut up in a cabin with

[page 5]
He was expecting a visitor today, but would be delighted to come some other Sunday; I should write to him, if I were you, & remind him.
Tonight I intend to send off that paper on Merton (more or less) which you saw, to the Speaker.
Do you know a book called Dagonet the Jester (I think by Mac-? Millan) If you have it at home, you might send it to me. Haynes recommended it.
I have read no more of (illegible), tho I intend to . Would Irene like to know that it is in the hands of an obscene public school man who can do it justice and enjoy it?
My paper on the relations of prose & poetry in this century comes off tomorrow night & I am in fear, trembling. I may tell you how it is received .

Someday, Haynes & I are to cycle to the Vale of White Horse, close to Uffington, near Swindon. He continues quite friendly & willing to go for walks with me.
Write soon & tell me how you are.
I am ever & wholly yours my own sweet little one, Anemone maiden-Edwy
Goodbye!
Love to Mrs Noble, Irene & Mary.