Letter from Edward Thomas to the poet Gordon Bottomley. Sent from Wick Green, Petersfield, Hampshire. Archival ref: 424/1/1/1/10/162
Wick Green
Petersfield
30.x.11

My dear Emily

I was not glad to see
your handwriting because I guessed
(as it turns out, rightly) that
Gordon could not write. But thank
you for writing & putting everything
so full & clear. I think if you
had been quite in favour of Wall Noole I
shd have come but as it is I think I
shall go to Wales. I wish I cd have
seen a lot of you & Gordon but
from your account I might hv. been
grievously disappointed for some time. So
as I sd I don't think I will come.

Probably I shall go down to a tiny
seaside town I visited in August
in Caermarthanshire(sic) called Laugharne
(& pronounceed Larne) & see what I
can find there. I hope I shan't regret your

nice from people too much. I know
I shd be well looked after when you
recommended me but it is a plunge
I don't like into a strange Welsh
(half Welsh) town on a rainy
November aftrnoon lookikng very lean
& cold & very much like the teetotally &
non smoker I have become. I am glad
Gordon is so brave. I never cd pity
him he will be glad to hear, & please
don't you think me unkind to say it.
[illegible] we pitied me before this I dare
say. Goodbye & I will write
again when I have got settled into my
book & my lodgings.

With love from Helen & me to
you both (I paused, almost
changing my mind)

Yours ever
Edward Thomas

P.S. On 2nd or 22nd thoughts
I am so much tempted that if I positively

knew I could come to that from you speaking
on Wednesday or Thursday I believe I would.
But will you get this tomorrow (Tuesday) ? If
you do & cd telegraph 'Yes' I should
most likely come. I am so hesitating that
I shan't expect you to do this but shall hope.
I will reply, if I am coming on Wednesday
morning by wire & tell you my train. Don't
you trouble in any case to say No.
You might in your telegram say 'Yes
Wednesday' (or 'Thursday).