From Sidney to Juliet
Miss Juliet Ashton
23 Glebe Place
Chelsea
London SW3
10th January 1946
Dear Juliet,
Congratulations! Susan Scott said you took to the audience at the luncheon like a drunkard
to rum – andthey to you – so please stop worrying about your tour next week. I have no doubt of your success.
Having witnessed your electrifying performance of ‘The Shepherd Boy Sings in the Valley of
Humiliation’ eighteen years ago, I know you will have every listener coiled around your little finger within
moments. A hint perhaps in this case you should refrain from throwing the book at the audience
afterwards.
Susan is looking forward to ushering you through bookshops from Bath to Yorkshire. And of course,
Sophie is agitating for an extension of the tour into Scotland. I’ve told her in my most infuriating olderbrother
manner that It Remains To Be Seen. She misses you terribly, I know, but Stephens & Stark
must be impervious to such considerations.
I’ve just received Izzy’s sales figures from London and the Home Counties – they are excellent.
Again, congratulations!
Don’t fret about English Foibles; better that your enthusiasm should die now than after six months
spent writing about bunnies.
The crass commercial possibilities of the idea were attractive, but I agree that the topic would soon
grow horribly fey. Another subject – one you’ll like – will occur to you.
Dinner one evening before you go? Say when.
Love,
Sidney
P.S. You write charming little notes.E
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