Dearest Dave,

The MS-paper [special full-score paper] has arrived - all 1,200 sheets of it. This is rather a blow, as I had hoped they would send you yours direct! As you will see from the enclosed sample, it isn't as good quality as before (I suppose this was hardly to be expected [because of the war] ), but at least it doesn't run like blotting-paper.

Will you please send on the enclosed cheque for my share when you are paying Augener's bill (also enclosed). The problem remains: how to convey 600 pages of MS-paper to you, ina parcelfour & ahalf inchesthick? Any suggestions. Love, H.

Dearest Dave,

Strike me pink! I never thought of that possibility (lucky I hadn't already packed it off to you, isn't it?). But it suits me well, as the 1,200 sheets will doubtless come in handy, even if I don't live to be 100.

Yes, words of one syllable for Overseas scripts, and as many and obscure polysyllables as possible for the Third. I should leave out Messrs Woodgate and Robinson [the choir trainers] for the Announcer can deal with them, but put in

Parry's dates, etc. Whatever you do the ‘hacks’ will fit in their wording accordingly, so don't worry too much about that side of it. The only thing that matters is to make it so that it ‘speaks’ easily (as opposed to ‘reads’ easily). I showed Arthur [Bliss] my detailed plan for ‘Chauntecleer',1and he was enthusiastic about it. He suggested that I should sketch a good deal of it, then show it to de Valois in that very rough form, leaving the real working-out until she and the choreographer had been over it. So I went home and wrote one dance complete, just to see whether I could! Since then I've had quite a few ideas for other bits; but I can't really get going until I've got the very beginning, for I'm a bit hung-up over keys, etc. until I've done that. QAL [ ‘Quia Amore Langueo', Op.18] shows no signs of life yet; but I'm glad you approve. Love, H.

Dearest Dave,

Just off to Wolverhampton, so this must be short and sweet.