THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Friday [December 1947]

Dear Joyce

We miss you both very much. There was a lovely feeling in the house with you at work on R & Gerald entertaining us. I grudge Trinity having the drawing & that it should be immured in an album in a box.¹
I had no idea that your journey w^d be such a long one and how forgetful I was not to pack up something to sustain you. O why didn’t you ask – and Gerald with a cold & you with frozen feet. I do feel guilty. Again – here is your lovely honey and tho’ I saw it I believe I never said a word of my pleasure – for I remember a jar you brought before & how delicious it was – that & the medlar are to be for special days.
Let me know what you think of the Symph.²
Love from your admiring

AMVW
You s^d be painted in the green head kerchief (but not by Spencer³).

1. Joy Finzi had made a drawing of VW for Trinity College, Cambridge. See VWL2401 and VWL2421.
2. Symphony no. 6 was being completed and the Finzis and others had been invited to a playthrough on 16th December – the first performance took place in April the following year.
3. Stanley Spencer.