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| Eden Phillpotts |
I found him settled in a decently large house (with several rooms about 20 feet square), with a charming wife and two children, with whom he must play every evening in the nursery from 6 to 7, inventing new games etc. Mrs. P. is a rather attractive woman, if a little older than me, and it was a pleasure to be entertained by her whilst Eden was upstairs. We were quickly on friendly terms and she was particularly interested in my life in Paris. Once or twice she have me a 'knowing' look when I referred (obliquely) to the pleasures to be had there.
On Saturday Eden and I went for a walk in the February mist. Very mild down here. Both he and his brother ask nothing better than to potter about garden and greenhouse, diagnosing the case of every plant, noting minute changes, and discussing methods of treatment. For two days a rumour that a camellia was growing in the hedge of a certain garden in a certain street excited them until they proved to themselves satisfactorily that the rumour was wrong and the camellia only a rhododendron.
Today Tillotsons offered me £60 for the serial rights of "For Love and Life". I have asked them for £80, but £60 was the price I had myself thought of.
I left Phillpotts full of desire to live in the country in a large house with plenty of servants, as he does, not working too hard, but working how and when one likes, at good rates. And an attractive wife would be good as well! It can only be done by means of fiction. Perhaps the sale of this my first serial may be considered as a step in the desired direction.
Now I am packing to go away again, somewhere warm and sunny. I feel the need for some rest and recuperation.
Hi nicce reading your blog
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