T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 223

To Mrs. Fontana, "Anemoen", Brading, I.O.W. 13 Birmingham St. Southampton 8. May. 1934 Dear M^rs Fontana Today I got back to Hythe after a fortnight at Wolverhampton.(two weeks in three I spend away) to find your letter, and this enclosed, at the Power Yard: He hasn't dated his, or given an address. "The girl in the office" (there are ten of them, in six offices in the yard!) is not to be found. Nobody remembers his coming. Will you present my apologies - or has he gone East already? All sorts of people enquire for me, at all sorts of places where I have been or am; and "the girls in the offices" all suspect newspaper sketches, etc for him off. His letter has a hurt sound, as if he thought I were hiding. But actually the Power Yard (while as good as any of my addresses) is not a permanent one - I visit it when I can, while we have bo.ts building there. My authentic, absolute and familiar address is Clouds Hill, Moreton, Dorset; where I fondly hope no strangers will ever come. I try to get there at least one day a month, to collect mail. It is a charming place, in its fond owner's eyes - and I hope you will be able to see it, after March next, when I can live there. R.A. is a cave to me. His brain has been over- taxed, and the "great poem" is a consequence, not a cause. I'm not to tell him so, by doctor's orders. It is an astonishing work, all the same; and if he were able to revise it in company., it might gaious important. Mean- while I am afraid for him. What to do! Alas, what on earth to do! Cottage not burnt. Fire swept up to the earthen bank around it, and there was checked. I am trying to guard it, by bare ... for this coming summer. The heath is so dry, already. No, I heard of David Larg, but did not see it. If the B.M. ...... up my way, I would be able to read some- times. As it is, I despair of ever overtaking all the books that are past. (That isn't as Irish as it first sounds!)