696 From Robin Milford, 10 August 1941

at Downside, Paddock's Way, Ashtead, Surrey

Dear Gerald,

Here are Dr Borland's notes – at least what I remembered & wrote down after I’d seen him (during the autumn of 1938, as far as I remember). Perhaps you may find them too simple (?), but anyhow here they are, as you asked to see them. They are almost as I wrote them then, & I think are pretty accurate. I was rather surprised to find that I hadn't written down the remark, I told you of, that I had been doing things too fast for years, but have come to the conclusion that, in my case, it should have its chief application from now onwards.

Thankyou so much for your card. Yes, it is a wretched business that longing to compose & yet one's time being so filled up – I remember how it added to my troubles in 1937–38, when I had all that teaching & rushing about to do, & as near as anything had a real breakdown, I think. But I was marvellously helped through, one way & another; & I do indeed hope you will be too, for, if I may say so, I do so strongly feel that you deserve it.

697 To Robin Milford, 15 August 1941

as from Ashmansworth

Dear Robin,

Many thanks for Dr Borland's notes. I certainly don't find them ‘too simple’ – though some of them do seem unattainable; for instance, the 10 days holiday from ‘time to time’. If only Joy & I cd feel assured of that, even in peace time!

And if one suffers from Marvell's sense of

(away from my beloved books, so I may be wrong). It is difficult to get into the condition of feeling that there are no time boundaries to one's life & work.