Charlotte Mosley - The Mitfords - Letters between Six Sisters

[Incomplete]

Darling Diana

So pleased to hear of another 10lb son (Maximilian 1 this time I suppose). I hope it wasn’t too much trouble in spite of the size.

I stayed with Sachie & Georgia 2 last weekend & S told me such a typical Sitwell story – it seems that ages ago they had to stay two people who knew you & Bryan very well & one who had never met you & for some reason the only topic the whole weekend was you & B. By Sunday night the man who didn’t know you was joining in & saying no that was the weekend Bryan & Diana went to Bailiffscourt, it was the one after they rode over to see Lytton Strachey, 3 because by then he knew you so intimately. Of course Sachie couldn’t remember who any of them were. Weston is heaven, have you seen it?

I am here chaperoning Debo & Andrew you must say good-natured of me. They are so funny, rush at the papers & turn quickly to the racing news. The Germans will have to march down the village street before they notice anything.

Cecil 4 was also there, he now does 0 but photograph Cab ministers wouldn’t you love to see him at it.

Much love & to the beautiful BOY. NR

Darling Nardy

I am so pleased that you feel really well this time, it must make the whole difference of course. Are you feeding him for a few months? And what is his name?

I am in an anxious state as Derek is determined to join the Air Force if he can, as a gunner! But of course he must do what he thinks most useful, although it is heaven having him safe in Oxford.

Hoping to see you soon – in haste to catch the last 1½d post!

Much love to you all from Woman

Dearest Cheerless

I did adore getting your letter, I forget whether I got it before I wrote last.

You do sound to be having a lucky time. It’s all right here at least more or less. I have been here a month now without going away which is terrific for me. I have got very what Stiegson 1 would call ‘keen on the garden’ isn’t it extraorder, in fact I’m going to lunch with Aunt Sport [Dorothy] tomorrow to get more plants, would you believe it.

Muv & Bobo are getting awfully on my nerves, I must go away soon I think. There was a dreadful row at breakfast this morning & I swore at Muv in front of Mrs Timms 2 & Farve shook me like he did you after you’d been to Mrs Rattenbury’s trial. 3

I think Bobo is a bit better but I don’t know. All outsiders think she is, but she certainly is very odd. Things like this happen – Colonel Buxton came here this morning & she dashed at him thinking he was the Dean & he looked rather surprised when she kissed him. Today we went to tea at Ditchley with the Trees 4 & the Duff Coopers 5 were staying there & for one ghastly moment I thought she wasn’t going to shake hands however she just did.

Lots of my friends are in France & some in Norway so I don’t think it sounds much fun in London. How that will make you roar. I always think while I’m writing how terrifically you despise my life.

It is such a pity we can’t go to the Island, I think Muv & Bobo would like it better.

I expect you know that Honks produced another ten pound boy the other day, she really does make a habit of it. She & the Leader really do get on well, a terrific tease on everyone.

Well dear I can’t think of anything else, do write. Goodness I do sometimes wish you were around here, you can’t think what a difference it would make when lividry is the note with the others.

Love from Yr Hen.

Get on.

What with one thing or another I’ve come here. Bobo has become quite impossible, she gets absolutely furious whatever I do & Muv is fed up so I left, just when the STOCKS I GREW FROM SEED (tease on you because you always said they never would) were beginning to flower.

I got here on Saturday after a terrifically easy journey 1 on account of going 1st class which I’d never been before & now I would rather not go than go 3rd. My dear ones 2 slept on my bed all night & none made a murmur. The train doesn’t stop during air raids so it’s never very late.

There is masses to do here, the kitchen garden is a mass of weeds & all where the field was ploughed for oats & potatoes needs hoeing & things & there is no servant here at all so I have to make my bed & cook. Luckily Peter 3 washes up so it’s not too bad. We have our meals in the kitchen at the same time, but at a different table, as the men, so that puts a bar on any conversation but as Farve only says ‘what’ it doesn’t make much difference. The first morning I came down to breakfast about 10 & found the kitchen full of stale smoke (Farve had been smoking there since 6) & him peeling onions to put in a vile looking stew. However I’ve put a stop to all that because I won’t eat my breakfast in a sort of 3rd class smoking carriage.

The new boat is a dream. We are going to Salen 4 to try & buy a goat this afternoon, I don’t much take to tinned milk.

Do write. I rang you up in London but of course you weren’t there.

Far the most awful thing ever happened at Swinbrook last week. Nina had been on heat & I thought all was o’er & let her out & it was a Saturday night & the inn was full of air force gentlemen & when I went out what should I see on the road in front of everyone but my dear ones stuck together for life but standing back to back & everyone pointing & roaring. I didn’t dare tell Muv because I knew she’d be so livid so I had to get the car & Studley had to get in backwards. They stayed together for about ½ an hour. So of course she’ll pig, isn’t it awful.

How is Milly & where is Abbey. 5

Isn’t it awful about Honks, 6 & isn’t it wonderful about Tim. 7

I wonder what you would think of Birdie now, she really is impossible to live with because she flies into these fearful rages & it really is terrifying.

I wish you would come here, why don’t you?

WRITE.

Love from Dahlia

Darling Pam

I read your letter over and over again – thank you so much for it and for being so angelic about having the babies 1 and for taking Jonathan out and for sending me Bromo and pillow and towels. I do hope Alexander will soon get less screamy, I think it is a phase they all go through. I wonder if he enjoyed the drive to Rignell, I expect he did. How splendid that Max has done well on his new food; I miss him terribly sometimes and would give anything to hear him say ‘Agee’, and Alexander doing what Kit calls his morning broadcast. I do hope that Bryan will let Desmond and Miss G 2 go to you – I don’t think Biddesden suits him at present. If possible I want his tonsils out – if Sir Frederic still advises it, which I am sure he will.

If you or Nanny or Muv writes ‘the’ letter 3 to me do enclose letters from the boys, I am allowed to have them in the same envelope. I had a letter from Kit yesterday, he is quite cheerful. It is such hell not being able to see him.

Could you write to Miss Gillies and give her my love and explain that I am not allowed to write more than one letter (one goes to Kit of course) and ask her to tell you just how Desmond is getting on so that you or Muv can tell me. I am asking the Governor’s permission to see Desmond and if he says yes I will put his name on the visiting pass which I will send to Muv. If he can’t come of course it doesn’t matter but I will write his name in case he can. Please tell Muv not to bother to come all the way to see me if it is a trouble; I adore having a visitor but I feel it is such a business for her. I am perfectly well again. If anyone comes I would love a few country flowers; also a Woolworth cup & saucer, & a bowl or dish (for salad or anything I may cook). No food is allowed to be brought or sent, although we may order once a fortnight. When the hols start I will put Jonathan’s name on the pass. If Desmond & Miss Gillies come, it would be better if no one else came as we only have 15 mins. Do write again, or Nanny, and put everything about the babies, no detail is too insignificant, I so long to hear all about them. Give them and Nanny all my love, & Horse 4 if you see him.