24 May.-Harriet to tea. Helen came in-very rude and tiresome when I introduced Harriet, Said, ‘Oh, really!’ and ‘Where is Peter? Run off abroad again? How absurd and unaccountable he is!’ Went on to talk Town and County solidly, saying every so often, ‘Do you know the So-and-so’s, Miss Vane? No? They’re very old friends of Peter’s.’ ‘Do you hunt, Miss Vane? No? What a pity! I do hope Peter doesn’t mean to give it up. It does him good to get out.’ Harriet very sensibly said ‘No’ and ‘Certainly’ to everything, without any explanations or apologies, which are always so dangerous (dear Disraeli!). I asked Harriet how the book was getting on and if Peter’s suggestions had helped. Helen said, ‘Oh, yes, you write, don’t you?’ as if she’d never heard of her, and asked what the title was, so that she could get it from the library. Harriet said, quite gravely, ‘That is very kind of you, but do let me send you one-I am allowed six free copies, you know.’ First sign of temper, but I don’t blame her. Apologised for Helen after she’d gone, and said I was glad my second son was marrying for love. Fear my vocabulary remains hopelessly old-fashioned in spite of carefully chosen reading. (Must remember to ask Franklin what I have done with The Stars Look Down.)
1 June.-Letter from Peter, about taking the Belchesters’ house in Audley Square from Michaelmas and furnishing it. H., thank Heaven, ready to prefer eighteenth-century elegance to chromium tubes. H. alarmed by size of house, but relieved she is not called upon to ‘make a home’ for Peter. I explained it was his business to make the home and take his bride to it-privilege now apparently confined to aristocracy and clergymen, who can’t choose their vicarages, poor dears, usually much too big for them. H. pointed out that Royal brides always seemed to be expected to run about choosing cretonnes, but I said this was duty they owed to penny papers which like domestic women-Peter’s wife fortunately without duties. Must see about housekeeper for them someone capable-Peter insistent wife’s work must not be interrupted by uproars in servants’ hall.
5 June.-Sudden outburst of family feeling in most tiresome form. Gerald first-worried of course by Helen-to ask if girl is presentable and has she got modern ideas, meaning children of course, that is to say not wanting children. Told Gerald to mind his own business, which is Saint-George. Next Mary, to say Small Peter sickening for chicken-pox and will this girl really look after Peter? Told her, Peter perfectly capable of looking after himself, and probably not wanting wife with head stuffed with chickenpox and best way to boil fish. Found beautiful Chippendale mirror and set tapestry chairs at Harrison’s.
25 June.-Love’s dream troubled by solemn interview with Murbles about Settlements-appalling long document provided for every conceivable and inconceivable situation and opening up ramifications into everybody’s death and remarriage, ‘covered’, as Murbles observes, ‘by THE WILL’ (in capitals). Had not realised Peter was doing so well out of the London property. H. more and more uncomfortable at every clause. Rescued her in depressed state and took her to tea at Rumpelmayer’s. She finally told me, ‘Ever since I left College, I’ve never spent a penny I hadn’t earned.’ Said to her, ‘Well, my dear, tell Peter what you feel, but do remember he’s just as vain and foolish as most men and not a chameleon to smell any sweeter for being trodden on.’ On consideration, think I meant ‘camomile’ (Shakespeare? Must ask Peter.) Considered writing to P. about this, but better not-young people must fight their own battles.
10 August.-Returned from country yesterday to find question of Settlements settled. H. showed me three pages of intelligent sympathy from P., beginning, ‘Of course I had foreseen the difficulty,’ and ending, ‘Either your pride or mine will have to be sacrificed-I can only appeal to your generosity to let it be yours.’ H. said, ‘Peter can always see the difficulty-that’s what’s so disarming.’ Agree heartily can’t stand people who ‘can’t see what the fuss is about’. H. now meekly prepared to accept suitable income, but has solaced pride by ordering two dozen silk shirts in Burlington Arcade, and paying cash for them. Evinces dogged determination to do thing property while she is about it-has grasped that if Helen can pick holes, Peter will suffer for it-and resolutely applies intelligence to task. Something apparently to be said for education-teaches grasp of facts. Grappling with fact of P.’s position-interesting to watch. Long letter from Peter, very dubious about League of Nations, and sending detailed instructions about library shelving and a William-and-Mary bedstead, also irritable about being left in Rome ‘like a plumber, to stop diplomatic leaks’. English very unpopular in Italy, but P. had soothing discussion with the Pope about a historical manuscript-must have made a pleasant change for both of them.
16 August.-Harriet, who has been down to the country to look at a water-mill (something to do with her new book) said she had motored back through Herts, and paid a visit to her old home at Great Pagford. Talked about her people-quiet country doctor and wife. Father made quite good income, but never thought of saving anything (thought he’d live for ever, I suppose)-very anxious, however, H. should have good education-just as well, as things turned out. H. said her own childish ambition had been to make enough money to buy quaint old farmhouse called Talboys in next village. Had seen it again on her trip-Elizabethan, very pretty. Said how differently things turned out from what one expected. I said it sounded just the sort of place she and P. would want for weekend cottage. H. rather taken aback said. Yes, she supposed so. Left it at that