Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2288

Carbon of letter to Harold S. Roche, 1 de l’Epee Avenue, Montreal, Canada

November 29, 1942

 

 

Dear Harold Roche:

 

     It is delightful to have your letter of the 25^th with its many kind remembrances from you and from the Bray family and the McNaughts. Please remember me warmly to them all and also to the McDonalds and to Melbourne Bolger. I am, indeed, sorrowed to hear that your mother has been desperately ill for so long. Give her my fervent wishes for a great improvement and many more happy days with you and Isabelle. I often think of her gentle ways and kindly hospitalities. And your sister too, who possessed so much of the same quiet charm.

 

     It was a disappointment not to see you all again this last summer. I particularly wanted to come to Montreal to see you all again and the McGill faculty members who gave us such intellectual hospitality and particularly to be within easy reach of my very dear friend, Alexander Colin Campbell, at Ottawa. But the gasoline rationing and other restrictions on travel deterred me for the time and some long-time friends in New Jersey, not far from New York City prevailed on me to spend most of the summer with them. I am now sorry I did not start early in the summer and make the Canadian visit by rail, particularly so since some New York friends summering on an island in Lake Placid, N.Y. wanted me to spend a week or more with them. I know I would travel a great deal more, even by rail, if I could have with me such an interesting and enjoyable companion as you would be instead of going alone. Just a year ago my youngest daughter was able to tour the mid-West with me as far as Chicago and we had a most delightful time together every day for more than two weeks.

 

     Well, it was a grand idea of you to think of Miss Hilda Hyland letting me meet and entertain her while on her way to Florida. I shall be most happy to do so. But it cannot be in Maryland for by the time she starts on her journey I will be in New York City whither I go tomorrow to spend probably the whole winter, returning occasionally, travel permitting, to my home here in Elkridge. I have engaged a sunny, three-room corner suite on the tenth floor at 102 West 85^th Street, just a block off Central Park, from December first. If Miss Hyland’s other arrangements do not forbid or if she can spend an entire day or two in New York I shall be most happy to do everything I can to make her enjoy it. Please ask her to write to me there with such details as she can now give and I will be prepared accordingly.

 

     It is a pleasure to think of you and remember you and I hope we can be together again. With best hopes and wishes for your mother and sister again,

 

Sincerely,