Page:Tex; a chapter in the life of Alexander Teixeira de Mattos (IA texchapterinlife00mcke).pdf/96



That was a very jolly party on Wednesday: I enjoyed everything: the gay and kindly company, the admirable foodstuffs, even the music; and, if it be true, as I told you, that Covent Garden has shrunk in size since my young days, I am compelled to confess that your box was a larger than I ever saw before. At this season of excess, he writes on Christmas Day'', I am allowed to indulge my passion for chocolates, but not to buy any for myself; and it was most thoughful of you to pander to my taste. Thank you ever so much. And thank you also for your good wishes''

''I must be off to mass, but not without first begging you to hand your mother and sister my best wishes for a happy New Year. As to you, I shall see or talk to you before then My young Sinn Feiner has written a novel which to my mind is a most remarkable production and which will have to be read by you at all costs. It is published in Dublin; and it is doubtful whether a single other copy will find its way to this foreign land.''

In April Teixeira and his wife went to Hove: and on 27. 4. 20 he writes:

It is blowing what-you-may-call-it here: 'arf a