St. Hilda’s Hall,
Oxford.
30.11.19.
My dear Mother,
Thank you very much indeed for your letter, the money, and the parcel, which was a miracle of packing. The buns arrived in a perfect condition, and so did the blouse. The buns are now no more, I regret to say. I hope Daddie is really better. I wish he would not get these colds. I should think it would be better for you if Auntie did not come again before Christmas, particularly as she still wants so much nursing. I shall be sorry to miss her, but would rather have my Mother to myself in the first part of the vac. There is a lot to be decided, and want to talk it all over with you and Daddie in peace.
We have had some good fours this week. The Eight rows on Friday. I am to row 7, and feel rather bucked about it, as it is the most important place on bow side. I think I got there by weight as much as by merit! Next term we hope to be allowed to row Eights in term.
On Wednesday the Bursar’s brother came to talk to us about nationalism in India, and told us a lot of very interesting things about the country, and particularly about missionary efforts there. He is going on an entirely new line. We talked a lot about latest Bill on India. The same evening after dinner, the Historical Society heard a very literary paper on “Ben Johnson”, which it felt quite incompetent to discuss.
On Friday Evelyn, Joyce and I went to hear Dr Collison1 and Mr Herbert Trench2, two absolutely first-rate drawing-room entertainers, at Balliol. Joyce’s brother Gilbert got us the tickets and was of course there to escort us, and the Moberly let us go without a chaperone!
Doris Coleman has been to tea with me today. She is quite flourishing. She shewed me an interesting letter she had had from little Marsden from Paris.
I have promised Gwen to see her on Tuesday, and have offered Mr Bower Wednesday. That is as far as my engagements extend at present.
My dearest love to Daddie and Max, and Auntie.
Your loving daughter,
Margot.
1Dr Collison still to be traced.
2Herbert Trench, 1865–1923, poet and playwright.
The next letter to be posted on 18 January 2017.
Margot at Oxford 