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June: 12: 96
My dear Anna,
Thank Mother for her letter and thanks also for yours. The heat is still terrible, but I am beginning to stand it a little better. I shall endeavour to stay in London till the 27th, though I don't relish the idea altogether of grilling there for a whole week. But anything is better than Families delegates. I hope you will enjoy their presence.
I have been rowing and sculling on the River nearly every afternoon. It is very pretty
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for the water-lilies are all out and the banks are simply masses of wild roses. The wild roses here seem to be more scented than the ones in Scotland. I will make you a promise, my dear Pudge. If I get J.B. of B [his novel, John Burnet of Barns] arranged for good serial rights, I will buy you a bicycle. So there! At present I am waiting anxiously on the editor of the Illustrated London News.
I am having bad luck at the Union just now. Last night there was a debate on the Agricultural Rating Bill, on which I was very anxious to speak. The President,
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Boyd-Carpenter, had promised to call me fifth. But the President remembered not Joseph but forgot him, and I could not catch the little fool's eye; and as I did not feel disposed to wait longer my great speech was undelivered.
This afternoon I am going to Witham in a canoe with Boulter. I hope you do not intend to go to Gallatown. It would be deathly dull, and you are fearfully near Pathhead. I was very much shocked to hear of Mr. Mitchell's death! Who will go to Kirkurd? What in the world does Mother mean by telling me to take care of my health & my morals! She is a most
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uncomplimentary person!
I have just got my MSS. for this week away, so I am feeling a little slacker. I have definitely told Fox that I am not going to Germany. He tried to persuade me, but I was obdurate. I find I am no good at all at enduring heat, and it [word crossed out] sine to be tropical there.
I hope Ervie [nickname for Walter] and Willie are getting on well at school. I am glad Father & Mother enjoyed their day at Moffat.
Love to all Your affectionate brother John Buchan
