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The Letters of Katherine Mansfield: Volume II

October 6, 1922

… How very strange about your soldier! I wish I had seen him. Petone! The Gear Company! And fancy your remembering about those rugs. The way you told me the story reminded me of D. H. L. somehow. It was quite different. I saw the soldier so plainly, heard his voice, saw the deserted street on early closing day, saw his clothes, the sack. “Old boy …” It was strangely complete.

By the way, I wonder why things that happen in the rain seem always more wonderful? Do you feel that? There's such a freshness about them, something so unexpected and vivid. I could go on thinking of that for hours…

It's the most lovely morning. There's just a light sailing breeze and the sun is really hot. Thinking of London is like thinking of living in a chimney. Are there really masses and masses of books? I do hope you won't forget to send me that Tchehov. I look forward to it very much. Can one get hold of Tolstoi's diaries? Is there a cheap English edition that is not too cut and trimmed? I wish you'd let me know…

I was wondering if next time you went to the D.'s you would take a bottle of barley-sugar to those young heroes. I feel things like barley-sugar are apt to be a little scarce in that household, and, however wonderful your Da may be, to have a pull, take it out and look at it and put it back again—does mean something. I am sure Michael especially would agree. And then you'll be forever after the barley-sugar man—which is a nice name.