THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

[8th May 1934]

Dear Joyce

Lovely of you to send the cowslips.  I’ve heard of them but not a sight of them till now.  What a perfect smell they have & how tall your down cowslips¹ are.  I’ve so enjoyed putting them in water & looking at them. Bob² brings home nothing but fossils!  also just now he comes on Sunday so stiff from Jiu Jitsu that he can scarce move! I’ve been wanting to write – & such a small thing kept me back – viz it seemed dreary to write to London & you not there.  Now I can send direct. I wanted to tell you both how fine the 2 trees are – lovely in their spring crimson & green leaves. I see them from the sitting room window.³ 
We all send love & what I like to hear is of your being well.  It is just the time for Gerald to work for later he’ll want to look at the baby such a lot.⁴ The Ormonds have a son.
Yrs

AMVW.

What an adventure for Margaret

1. The Finzis’ house was at Aldbourne near the Downs.
2. Robert de Ropp, a cousin of Adeline, who was staying with the VWs. See VWL914.
3. The Finzis gave the VWs two little maple trees as a present in gratitude for their having been witnesses to their marriage.
4. The Finzis were expecting a child; Christopher was born in July 1934.