THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
10, Hanover Terrace,
Regents Park,
London, N.W.1

December 28th 1955

Deares Joan & Martin
How wild & wicked you are.  Your fantastic book token will turn into the Oxford Book of Nursery Rhymes in part, & for the reset we will browse.  Thank you both so very much.  We had our usual carol party last week, & so much enjoyed, as did everyone, being all Eng. Trad.  It took till about 1.30 to sing everything.  After that Ralph lost his voice, & couldn’t come to Henry V. at the Old Vic with two fourteen year olds & me.  After Henry V. I lost my voice.  I must say it was a stirring production, and I felt as if I’d beem campagining in France for months.  So when Christmas came it was to an almost Trappist househould  We did that awful Times General Knowledge paper in whispers, & then relapsed into our novels and candied fruits.  The one really nice thing is hot toddy at bed time, which we think may bring back our usual voices!  But apart from that Ralph is fine.
The only other awful thing was that a friend of mine has a small printing press, & asked me for any boxes I had for her letters, old typewriter ribbon tins etc.  So with her Christmas present I packed all the little boxes I could find.  Unfortunately one of them had Ralph’s spare teeth in it.  Luckily we know her well.
This brings you both our best love, and all possible good wishes for the new year.  I hope we shall see you often in it.
Love, & again thank you.
Ursula.