page 246 — April 1943

business, and we jolly well ought to pay back our debt by spending some time on the next generations. zpn

Monday 26^th

… I went down to the village in the afternoon and fetched the paper from Mrs. Francis—who told the latest gossip, such as the editor of Picture Post walking down the road holding a bottle in his hand wandering from side to side—ought to write to Picture Post about it! Though Mrs. Francis’ gossip is not entirely reliable. … znw zgk zro zop

On the 30 secs. allowed us by the [radio] battery we heard that USSR had broken off diplomatic relations with the Polish Govt. [in exile] in this country—which has been consistently and violently anti-Soviet. zrd zru

[See note]

Wednesday 28^th

Last day at Glatting … Margaret helped me carry the canoe to the lake, to see if it was worth taking to Oxford—it did float high enough for a quiet river like the Cher or Isis. Then we went for a goat walk. zfl zbo zdc zpt

…  off on cycles to the Holdings for tea. I spoke very little—don’t feel sociable today at all, rather cross. Silly how moods come and go. Maybe because the 30^th is in two days. zcy zhy

to Oxford

Thursday 29^th

A hectic departure from Glatting, but an uneventful and fairly comfortable train journey to London. Then by Taxi to Paddington, while Margaret biked perilously through a Canadian army convoy. … During the journey I read with great interest ‘The RAF in Russia’. zfl ztv zcy zmh zbf zru zam

We … taxied to the Master’s [William Beveridge] Lodgings, Univ. … All beautifully prepared for us; Margot Klein [his housekeeper] very helpful and cheerful, and Mommy was very relieved and pleased. Tea zfl