Letter from Edward Thomas to the poet Gordon Bottomley. Sent from Steep, Petersfield, Hampshire. Archival ref: 424/1/1/1/10/195
Steep
28 xii 14

My dear Gordon I amso glad you were glad to hear the Morris. I don't think Thurp will suffer if you keep it
a week after the New Year, but if you send it earlier
all the better. Don't talk of paying for the Burton if
you really want to keep it. You still have Morris XXIV
when it comes. Your letter came the evening of the day
mine (which wasn't a letter) went. And the
photograph, too, which is quite keepable. It
helps the memory. I don't blame at all when
I don't hear from you. I only wish I did hear.
But my own letters, I always feel, are rather
perfunctory & usually only replies when they are
my groans. I've given up groaning since the
war began, I believe, & have been mainly the
better for it. But this is the only good effect
of the war. It leaves me otherwise rather
stranded, the habits of work keep me up at my
studio for almost the xx hours. I travel a
little more maybe. I am travelling this moment
or my handwriting should be better & this letter
longer. But its quite a short journey, we are
all at home now, including Bronwen who has
been away 2 terms at school in London but

is now back for good, I hope. Mervyn will be
leaving in a year or so - he is just in 15 - & going
(we fancy) to some engineering school in Wales.
Then we may move to a less uncongenial
neighborhood. I don't like Bedales folk. All I
like is the hills & my study. I don't know
when we shall go. But the American War
is by no means off yet.
I haven't seen Trevelyn again yet
I am going to be near town tonight but
shall hardly venture there as Mrs.
Abercrombie is a little hostile because I
sometimes criticise Lucille.
Goodbye to you & Emily
Yours ever
E. T.