Letter from Florence Henniker to Thomas Hardy, 24 October 1920

[Page 1]

I know you have been thinking kindly of me in my grief at losing dear faithful Milner. He had such a beautiful character – & was so devoted a friend. – I did ^& do,^ love him. –

Please tell dear F. I will send her a few more of the "Jack London" papers, & it will be splendid if she gets them signed.–

[Page 2]

I am glad to tell you that I think our "Council of Justice" will, under new auspices, do excellent work. The Sec.^y, Miss Wood, seems very capable as well as enthusiastic, & a Canadian ex-officer, (who seems to be well off & prosperous) has given us a beautiful office in Bond St for meetings, & is also personally, I think certainly keen on the subject of humane slaughtering – [Page 3] I went to a Committee meeting not long ago –.

I have read "Two on a Tower" with pleasure and interest. I don't wonder you thought it "rather clever" when you looked into it the other day! – Perhaps it is curious that it is not one of the novels more talked of? – It seems to me that the actual interest of the story is so wonderfully well main­tained – with the un-expec­ted ^things^ that happens & - I suppose Swithin married Tabitha Lark very soon? – I only hope she was kind to the dear little yellow-haired boy. – You meant, I imagine, that the [Page 4] Bishop found out the truth, & was vindictive in temper in consequence –? –

I see that Mr Shorter has married again. Do you know anything of his wife? – I was actually asked by D^r. Williamson to write an essay in the Keats book on my recollections of my father's conversation about him. But I really could not remember anything; & besides, I am not equal to writing an essay worthy of that book. – I hear you are contributing a poem? –

[Page 5] I have been having a good deal of electric treatment – & now I [Page 6] am much better - having had no pain for some weeks. Fogs are beginning, I am sorry to say – My best love to F. & Wessex.

Ev y^r affec. friend

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