Oct 16 Sat. Alan's birthday.

Reassuring telegram from Random House about books & fees.[RG]
Request from Grigson to Laura & me to contribute to a New Verse no. [number] about Auden!
I went early to Cranleigh with Harry to buy presents for Alan & Alix's aunt Mrs May who has a birthday tomorrow & is coming with Maisie.
In the antique shop angered at being asked 15/-1 for a 2 peseta bull-fighting plate. Bought Alan a walking stick, two toy-soldiers & a black woolly lamb (a pull-over already); & ×××× [indecipherable] Chinese china swans for aunt.
Alan & Beryl came, & we played the word-game after suppr & talked. He had a birthday cake
Laura doing scenario with Karl who got cross with a cold & was sent home to nurse it at Marigold2.
I went over Belisarius but wrote none fresh. Beryl & Alan at Holmcroft.

Editorial Notes

115 shillings eds.
2name of house, where he lodged KG

Hands Referenced

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

Places Mentioned

  • Cranleigh

    Cranleigh, Surrey, England
    town closest to Ewhurst KG

  • Holmcroft

    Surrey, England
    Guest House near Highcroft eds.

People Mentioned

  • Alix Kemp

    Kemp, Alix
    Married to poet Harry Kemp. The couple shared a house with Graves and Riding in Ewhurst, Surrey (1937). eds (RPG 277); also referred to as Frau Eierman by RG eds. see Diary August 30, 1936

  • Laura

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

  • Harry Kemp

    Kemp, Harry
    Poet. Met Graves and Riding through James Reeves in August 1936, just after their arrival in England. In their previous correspondence, Riding had been intrigued by his falling-out with Communism. He became associated with their circle, collaborating on various projects. (RPG 248-49)

  • Alan

    Hodge, Alan
    Oxford history graduate. Became close friends with LR & RG. First husband of Beryl Graves. CP & WG

  • 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.

  • Maisie

    Sommerville, Maisie
    Head of BBC Education broadcasting department. Friend of R.G. and L.R. Arranged accomodation for them when they returned to London as exiles. W.G., eds.

  • Beryl

    Pritchard, Beryl
    daughter of Harry and Amy Pritchard, R.G.'s second wife. Formerly married to Alan Hodge. Robert and Beryl had four children: William, Lucia, Juan and Tomas. eds

  • Geoffrey Grigson

    Grigson, Geoffrey
    Poet and literary critic C.P. & K.G. Founder and editor of New Verse, a poetry journal (1933-39). eds.

  • Auden

    Auden, W.H.
    British poet (1907-1973). R.G. disliked. eds

  • Mrs. May

    May, Mrs.
    Alix Kemp's aunt RG

Organizations Mentioned

  • Random House

    American publishers (New York) eds.

Bibliography

    • Title: Count Belisarius [1938]
    • Author: Graves, Robert
    • PubPlace: London
    • Publisher: Cassell
    • Idno: A47
    • Date: 1937-07-21
    • Title: New Verse [1933-39: a poetry journal]
    • Editor: Geoffrey Grigson
    • Title: Smuggler Scenario [projected screenplay for a Korda film RPG]
    • Author: Graves, Robert/ Riding, Laura
    • Date: 1937-08-26