March 26 Tuesday

Another hot day.
Bad nightmare. responsible for[RG] saving people from a burning house, a very tall building in process of construction[RG] in the middle of a university or public school: half built somewhat Charterhouse[RG]1. 100 prisoners and 120 workmen in danger[RG]. Had to go and get a ladder: no outside leaving my lieutenant in charge with fire brigade of 20. Could get no outside[RG] cooperation, ladder too short too heavy to move,[RG] & one leg broken off with rungs. When finally got it to building this was collapsing. I dodged falling bits of roof.[RG] My cooperator lieutenant[RG], a mixture of a 2nd[RG] lieut. I knew in Wales in the war, had done his[RG] and Carl, had done his best. Only[RG] eleven dead bodies; with identity discs. Nobody minding much. Carl then dismissed his squad, giving angry[RG] German military orders. I said that there would be an inquiry and somebody would be punished.2
Gelat came: planted vines alongside drive and two more for the arbour near the front door. Staked up a split lemon-tree. Replanted the camelia. I went to the village with poem of Laura Why of Wind to type: to Miguel to hurry up gauze screenings, to Rosa to ask for cottage for Isabel's mother. Paid Estanco 50 pts on a/c. Last oranges from Can Juni.
Two more drafts of What Then?3 With Salamo4 to sea. Bathed, the first time this year. Salamo frightened of rushing noise of stream & sea. Timber came for arbour. Letter from Jack Lindsay saying that actors were under no financial obligation to their patrons and that madida lux solis is possible Republican Latin. Wrote to deny this, firmly, for the second time, quoting references from dictionary. 5 Got Tony's 6 birth certificate from Secretario. Checked typing of two poems of Lauras.

Editorial Notes

1RG attended Charterhouse school from 1909-1914: it was not a happy experience. See Seymour, Life on the Edge pp.19-38. eds
2RPG, pp 226-7, interprets this dream as conveying a message "both about Robert's current difficulties and about the ultimate hopelssness of his situation." What is also interesting are the comments on Carl as both supportive and officious. eds
3see Mar.23,25 entries. eds.
4RG's bull-dog. eds
5See Mar 16th entry. eds.
6there is some question, but K.G. believes this refers to George and Mary Ellidge's son. eds.

Hands Referenced

    • Annotation: ink correction
    • Character: regular
    • Ink: black

Places Mentioned

  • Ca'n Juni

    Deyá, Majorca, Sp
    garden terraaces belonging to Juan Gelat KG . RG also had access to the fruit there. WG

People Mentioned

  • Laura

    Riding, Laura
    (1901-91) American poet. Laura Riding (née Reichenthal; then Laura Gottschalk).

  • Karl/Carl

    Goldschmidt, Karl
    Karl Goldschmidt, later Kenneth Gay: Graphic artist, friend and secretary of Robert Graves and Laura Riding since 1934. R. G. spells both as Carl and Karl.

  • Miguel

    Miguel
    One of four village carpenters. Others were Miguel Junior, Francisco and Antonio de Ca's Pintat. WG

  • Gelat

    Más, Juan Marroig
    Juan Marroig Mas, called Gelat: Landowner on Deyá and friend of Robert Graves and Laura Riding (L.R. & R.G.'s factotum. W.G.)

  • Isabella

    Isabel
    Live-in maid from Murcia. Her mother (Carmen) then came over with Josefa who also came to work later. WG

  • Rosa

    Rosa
    Dress maker. Also made cushions, seat covers, etc. WG

  • Jack Lindsay

    Lindsay, Jack
    Lindsay was the eldest son of Norman Lindsay and author of over 150 books, including translations, novels, biography, politics and philosophy. He lived in England from 1925 until his death.

  • Tony

    Ellidge, Tony
    George and Mary Ellidge's son? K.G.

  • Secretario

    Secretario
    a Deyánese municipal title used by Graves eds.

Organizations Mentioned

  • Estanco

    Local Tobacconist, a general shop KG

Bibliography

    • Title: What Then? [poem: became Historical Particulars. June 25, 1935 R.G.]
    • Author: Graves, Robert
    • Title: The Why of the Wind [poem]
    • Title: Collected Poems
    • Author: Riding, Laura
    • PubPlace: London
    • Publisher: Cassell
    • Date: 1938