TLS: Thursday, October 7, 1926

Belgrade Lakes, Me.
Oct. 7th, '26

Dearest Teddy:

I really intended writing to you before I wrote to any of the others, but I kept putting it off, mainly I think because I wanted to write you a really decent letter -- and I have been awfully busy lately, just why I don't know. I am trying to get everything cleaned up and straightened out before we leave here, and just when I think I have things done, along comes something else that has to be attended to -- another bill to pay, or clothes to go off to the cleaners, or something! At least I seem to have things pretty well straightened out, however......

I was very much worried by the tone of your letter and what you said. What on earth do you mean when you say you aren't strong enough to take the trip up here alone? Now Teddy, you know it isn't such a trip, and when you say something like that you really worry me. I thought you looked pretty well when I saw you last, but I imagine the trouble is with those piles, etc, and you are probably rundown and nervous over having so many people about etc, this summer. However, if you feel the way you say, it is nothing to be trifled with, and I want you to go to a doctor right away and have him look you over and see if there is anything wrong that makes you feel this way. I am writing Budge today, and I am sending her ten dollars, and I want you to promise me that you will go right away and see a local doctor, and then when I come down you can come in to New York with me and we will go and see a very good man who will give you a thorough overhauling. That is what you need. I am sure there is nothing really wrong, but that it will turn out to be that the constant strain of the hemorrhoids has made you run down and nervous.

Please don't procrastinate over this, as it simply means I will worry if you don't go right away. What you probably need is to have the hemorrhoids operated on.

I am sending the volume of Ulysses -- I really should have put it in the package that I sent to Cookie, but forgot it. Gene has read it through this summer for the second time -- which means he has read every word of it twice, which is more than most people are able to do -- and on the second reading he has decided that it is nothing so important.....you know people raved over it as the great book of this age. It is beautifully written in places certainly. Gene is all for Proust. Have you read any of his things? There is a very good translation of them now. They are certainly remarkable writing, and I think that you would like them.

Gene has been hard at work this summer on a new play he is doing called "Strange Interlude." He is attempting to put in a play all the advantages of a novel, without its disadvantages -- rather I should say, perhaps, that the material he wanted to use, and the effect he wanted to get needed this new form -- which is most interesting, and quite unlike anything I have ever read or seen. His Lazarus Laughed is having strange adventures -- they have discovered that the part of Lazarus would be better sung than spoken. It is a marvelous play, and I want you to read it, so as soon as I can get hold of a copy I will send it on to you. It is almost as thought he had created a new religion in it, -- though like all good religions it has all the elements of the old ones! People seem to have been tremendously affected by it.

A moving picture concern is after the film rights to all of Gene's work -- the man was up here night before last to see him. I don't know if anything will come of it or not -- as they want to pay on the royalty basis, with a guarantee of three films a year, and Gene is all for a lump sum. However, I think it is a good sign.

I wrote mother what I though of the county up here -- so won't go into it again now. But it is lovely, and you should be sure and come up next year -- for I feel sure that we will come up again. Gene likes it so much. I think that from a painters point of view it would be fine, too... Have you been doing much work? you should be sure to send your stuff to the exhibitions this winter. Couldn't you get someone to handle it for you -- send it around? I think that would be a good plan. Your stuff is so good, and people do certainly like it, the only trouble is that nothing is done about it.

When you write will you tell me if the Bianco's are with your or not? There were vague references to their being there, but I can't seem to find out if they are, or were, or not.......

We are all in fine shape. I have gained quite a lot -- weigh about a hundred and twelve . . . Oona is fine. She runs all around now. I have done a little writing this summer, but not much. However, once we get a summer and winter home definitely settled it will be easier. Gene never liked Ridgefield -- that is he didn't like the country in the winter -- and so we were not really settled there. Bermuda will be fine, I think, however....when we get it all fixed the way we want it. Then you and mother must come down, and we will give you a little cottage all for you own.

Much love, and do write to me soon,

Agnes.