Decca, p.31
Decca, page 31
Monday is Agent-and-Fortune day. I called James MacGibbon of Curtis Brown,16 he sounded v. enthusiastic at the idea of the book, and I have an appt.
with him Monday. In the afternoon, to the Glorious Solicitor’s for a discussion
of the Fortune and prospects; dinner with him and wife that night…. So we’re
not doing badly—specially Benj, who is being feted all over
The journalist (from Evening Standard) is still pursuing. He called Richard Turner to ask where I was staying (how did he find out about Richard? Via Randolph Churchill via Giles, do you suppose?) and yesterday he called the Mews while I was there. I answered the phone, told him I didn’t know where Mrs. Treuhaft could be reached, thought she had gone abroad, Lady R. was not expecting her that I knew of etc. …
Nancy said that during the great Will (disinheritance) story, she was called to the phone in Venice, where she was staying, for a “very urgent phone call.” It turned out to be a reporter inquiring for the whereabouts of her sister in America. Nancy just said, “Why don’t you look her up in the Peerage?”; and hung up. So typical of her.
Goodbye Darling, I’ll write again tomorrow or so…
Best love, Decca
Typical Muv story: Background: Nancy had been very ill this winter … laid up for quite some time; remember, she wrote us about it. So anyway, we were commenting on how marvellous she looks now. Muv said vaguely, “Yes, I really think it was very good for her, being ill all that time, she looks so much stronger and better now.” Even Benj fell off his chair, roaring.…
To Robert Treuhaft
London
April 22, 1959
Darling Bob,
… The other day I was mentioning to Muv how sad the education is at home, we’d like to send Benj to school here, but can’t because it is too far. She said, “Yes, it is too far; unless you decided to come and live over here.” I said, “We couldn’t, because of Bob’s work.” She said, “Oh yes that’s true, he probably would find it a little dull, not working after all this time, he’s used to it and might get bored if he had to give it up.” Hopeless to try to get across the concept that other, and crasser, considerations, such as eating regularly, might be involved. …
I met Muv and Mabel at 11 a.m. to do the packing; Muv’s winter things in a trunk, the Good China in locked places where the tenants won’t find it. The packing was a fair riot. A black silk brocade evening dress; I say, “this looks awfully familiar.” Muv: “Yes, I should think it does; I got it in 1926 for Pam’s coming-out dance.” Mabel, pottering around among things done up in tissue paper, hands me a paratrooper-type knife: “I should think this belonged to His Lordship, no use keeping it, is there?”; I examine it, find it to be stamped all over with official looking swastikas. “Miss Unity’s, do you suppose?”; So it turns out to be. I find an unfamiliar looking tweed suit, say to Muv, “this is new, isn’t it?”; she answers, “Yes, I didn’t have that when you were little; got it just before the war, after you went Abroad.” …
Back to Joany’s to connect up with Benj (who arrived windblown, exhausted and filthy from riding and Zoo at about 6 p.m.), to get him quickly ready to go out to dinner with Woman…. Woman was as ever, going on about the problem of Irish servants (DON’T TELL HAZEL),17 and still complaining about her car accident (2 years ago) when her skull was slightly cracked, she still has occasional headaches… She is very sad that she has never met Barb (you, they all pronounce you Barb because they think I do; everywhere I go, they say, “When is Barb coming? … How is Barb? …We hear from Muv and Debo that Barb is an utter charmer”). We are invited to Tullamaine Castle (Woman’s house, in Tipperary Co) any time we can come, but don’t let’s go….
Rud’s ghastly husband wasn’t in sight except briefly, thank God. Benj may go to stay with them for a few days just before the Island, to learn to ride.18 Rud longs for him. She said he looks just like Ali19 Mosley; Muv immediately agreed. I was simply furious and said he doesn’t look a bit like Ali, but since I’ve never seen Ali, my opinion didn’t count for too much…
Muv seems fairly all right, once you get used to her. But, the fact is, she is failing a bit. Deafness and palsy considerably worse, also vagueness…. I had a heart-to-heart talk with her about the Hearing Aid. The thing she hates about it is the wire thing that hangs down. However, you can buy ones that don’t have the wire thing…. I said we would get her one of those, if she would promise to practice with it and use it. She said, “No, little D., these are just Nature’s warnings that it is time to step off the stage.” Before she actually steps, she should see Dinky, who she asks after constantly. Possibly next year, or the following? …
Get that plane, old Bob. If you miss it, the fury of me will be unbounded.…
Longing and hoping, Yr. loving Dec.
To Robert Treuhaft
London
April 26, 1959
Darling old Bob,
At last I have time to write and tell you all about the Red Letter Day20 and circumstances that led up to it. This part is addressed to you in your capacity as Chairman of the Old Dec Writing Committee, the other members being Marge, Murdoces, and Betty Bacon.21 Not to forget Kathedises,22 whose constructive advice to dump the book was so helpful.
Friday, I was out with Benjy all day As we approached Joan’s house, I heard a scream of “DECCA!” ‘Twas Joan, calling out from the liquor store next door. She dragged me in, pointing to a bottle of whiskey she was buying, and all incoherent from excitement, finally managed to convey that a message had come from James MacGibbon while I was out, book sold, $1500 advance, bottle was being bought to celebrate.
Here’s what happened. I saw James (as I now call him) on Monday at his office. He said he would read the manuscript on the weekend (this weekend) and let me know if it was at all publishable.23 Then he called me the very next day (Tuesday) to say he liked it very much, would immediately send it to Gol-lancz. I asked him how soon we might expect a decision, he said about 3 weeks. This sounded very quick to me, as Fles’s publishers always seemed to take 6 to 8 weeks;24 so I was pleased at the speed. So James did send it to Gollancz, but meanwhile he spoke to a representative of Houghton Mifflin25 about it. Apparently gave it such a good build-up that the Houghton-Miffliner wanted to see it right away. So, James got it back from Gollancz. The H-M-er read it, phoned his office in Boston (what would Nancy say) and got the OK—so it all happened within the space of a week. Don’t you think $1500 is a huge advance? Doesn’t Betty Bacon think so? I was hoping for $500. Now, I have to gently fire Fles, James helped me work out a weasel-worded telegram saying “have decided to try the book in England, please send me the ms,” then a little later we’ll break the news. I feel bad about it in a way, as Fles was rather faithful and he did show it round etc. but I’d much rather deal with James, a different and better ilk altogether. James assures me there is nothing unethical or illegal in dumping Fles at this point, so I do hope he is right…
Back to Friday evening. I could hardly stagger upstairs, I was so excited, amazed, bewildered—my knees were weak, and whiskey had to be forced down my throat. To my sorrow, Joan had to go out almost immediately as she had an appointment. Benj was a very satisfactory co-celebrant, he really was decent, rushed out then and there to the corner flower stand to buy me a dear little fivepenny orchid! The awful thing was I had a date with Woman for dinner, so had to bottle all during dinner as of course I don’t want any of them knowing about it till ‘tis actually out.
Saturday, I went to James’ house at 12 for a long business chat. I asked him about the possibility they might renege (the contract won’t be made up for about 3 weeks, he said) but he assured me this was not in the cards, that the sale is absolutely definite…. And he said that as soon as an English publisher is lined up I would have an editor to help a bit with the revisions. He wants me to get on it and finish it right away. I didn’t follow through with the trip to the USSR, because I had a feeling that the time should be used to work on the book; now, I feel it is essential, and possibly Benj and I could stay in a pension somewhere in Brittany, from the time you leave till I have to go home, and I could work on the book while he gambols on the shore, and in the casinos. I will also do some work next week, after Benj goes to the Rudbins … and at the Island, if I can hide the ms. from Muv. Shouldn’t be too hard…
I have missed you so much through all this (including the old Bob astringent taking one down a peg or two) it is really too bad it couldn’t have happened after you got here…
Here’s my opinion about your trip: COME TO THE ISLAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND BY QUICKEST ROUTE…
My feeling about the book is now, it’s a bit like the situation where one is trying to get someone to propose. One lays all one’s plans to that end, works and frets inwardly for it—then, when the person has proposed and all’s in the bag … one is immediately confronted with the practical consequences of this action—arranging for the Wedding, where to live, how to get on with the in-laws etc. Thus, in the case of the Book, how to finish it expeditiously and how it will look actually in print. …
Yr. loving Dec
p.s. Today’s conversation with Muv, by telephone:
Muv: Hullo, Little D, that you?
Me: YES, HULLO, MUV
Muv: Little D? I think you said that was you, didn’t you?
Me: YES, SPEAKING
Muv: Ohhhhrn, well, Alec26 just telephoned, wants you and Benj to go to lunch with him tomorrow, very sweet of him really poor old thing. Can you go?
Me: YES, LOVE TO, OF COURSE. WHERE IS THE LUNCH? (This is repeated several times, with Muv saying, “What?”; in between. Finally she gets the question.)
Muv: 3 Lexham Gardens, I think—either 3 or 5—or is it 7? How mad of me not to know …
Me: WHICH ONE SHOULD I GO TO? 3 OR 5 OR 7?
Muv: (when she finally gets the drift of this question) Oh yes I quite see, which one … let’s see … well, little D, why don’t you just go to Lexham Gardens and ask for the man with one leg? I think that’d be best. I can’t hear a word you’re saying, darling, so goodbye …
(Cloink, she hangs up.)
To Robert Treuhaft
London
April 30, 1959
Darling old Bob,
Resuming the Adventures of Dec. I think I’ve discovered the secret of Eternal Youth. It is, keep on the move, and time seems to stand still. Just came back from a very enjoyable one-night visit at the Toynbees, yet it seems ages since we were in London.
Wednesday was Army & Navy Stores day, Uncle Alec day, and going to Toynbees in the evening day
Thence to lunch with the one-legged man at???Gardens. He was looking fine, and I really did think it a good thing he had it off.27 …
He told me some fascinating gossip about Uncle Jack (Farve’s next-to-youngest brother, now seventyish). Seems Uncle Jack was made Secretary of the Marlborough Club, a paying position, and within 18 months he had run the club into bankruptcy. Furious meetings of the members ensued, Uncle J. really in hot water. There was a happy ending because an American firm bought the building for 150,000 pounds, and each member was given 400 pounds from this sale. “It really was rather too bad of Jack,” said Uncle Alec, “because you know your Grandfather and the Prince of Wales really started that club, and now it’s all finished.” I had to think twice to remember that the Prince of Wales was King Edward VII. Uncle Alec went on to say that Uncle Jack has become very queer, lethargic you might say, and often doesn’t get up till after 10 o’clock; Benj piped up at this point to say, “Just like my father.”
We met Philip at the 4:30 train to Colchester, in Essex. He is in fine shape and we got on much better than last time—which I find true of most of the people here, incidentally, none of the awkwardness and strain which rather dogged me on the last visit. His wife Sally, from Ohio, is very nice but completely unlike the sort of wife one would imagine for Philip; she’s a real home-town girl type, nice looking but not pretty, interested in books etc. but not intellectual, a really ordinary one. I liked her very much and teamed up with her against Philip in a long-drawn-out argument Wednesday night. Sally is constantly being brought up short by the class thing in England. She has become very close friends with a farm laborer’s wife (a neighbor) but Philip won’t let her have this friend to dinner with his friends on the grounds that she “wouldn’t fit in.” Philip was furiously maintaining this has nothing to do with class as such, only with lack of common interests—he is the least snobbish man alive, etc. The fact he has no friends outside his class is pure coincidence. Reminds you of the unprejudiced-against-Negro people at home. Anyway, Sally and I nailed him to the wall before long.
Much time was taken up in reading and discussing my ms. which by the merest chance turned up in my suitcase. Philip read most of it. He thinks it is jolly good, which delighted me. Marge’s Roarometer should have been registering ‘cross the Atlantic; Philip was a very satisfactory audience. He loved the bits about him, his only complaint is there is not enough about him in it. I begged him to finish it for me, he said he will, but in that case the last 3 chapters will be pure Toynbee biography.
They live in a very nice, comfortable, roomy thatched cottage. There are many American touches—washing machine, dryer etc—and a real Hands Across the Sea bit in the john; a choice between English and American toilet paper! …
The Toynbees haven’t seen the Romillys for ages; no estrangement, but paths haven’t crossed. However, they confirmed the battiness of Giles. Seems Mary28 confided in them that Giles went for her with a knife a few times, also he left home one night without a word and didn’t show up for 6 weeks; just went off to France by himself. He has been to a Psychiatrist who told him not to worry about the knife thing as it is a way of getting rid of one’s aggressions; which may be true, but a bit depressing for poor Mary…
Goodbye old Bob, only a few more days now till you come, thank goodness, I do so long for you to be here…
Your loving Dec
To Marge Frantz
London
May 2, 1959
Dearest Marge,
Thanks so much for your letter. My cable address, should you need it, is ELKSHATRACK; Pele wrote me saying, “you need news from home like an elk needs a hat-rack.” Typical formulation?
I’m still scarce believing the news about the book; and must say, from utter bottom of heart, I could never have done it without your help. ‘Tis the honest truth, when I think of the hours you spent on it, and your poor boss languishing at the office probably longing for you, you really were a marvel about it all. …
Dear James (as I now call Mr. MacGibbon, me new agent) … says there’s practically no editorial correction needed, but he will write me a letter to the Island giving his own criticisms; he says they are extremely minor, etc. Now this worries me a bit, as I think it needs a hell of a lot of changing, and was counting on cosily working with an expert editor to that end. So I’m on my own, no old Marge, no Betty, and I feel a bit scared that it won’t be a very good book in consequence…
I’m trying to think of a way to break the news to the Revered,29 as if I don’t, she’ll think it tricky of me; besides, if I’m writing it at the Island, even she is bound to notice. So I think I’ll write and tell her I’m doing a book on the contrasts between English and American life. How would that be?
Old Marge do write, keep writing, and I’ll answer pronto. How I wish you were here. What gift from Europe do you crave? Out of me royalties. Anything you desire…
Your loving Decca
To Pele de Lappe
On train to Didcot, Oxfordshire
May 2, 1959
Dearest Neighbor,
Thanks so much for the most welcome Elk’s Hatrack. I can’t say you’ve been too loyal about writing up to now, but then neither have I—mainly because after I finish writing to old Bob, it’s usually bedtime.
I’m still in a haze of unbelieving excitement about the Book…. Now I’ve got to finish it completely before I leave as Gollancz wants to publish it in January. What bliss not to have to staple it oneself.30 …Now, neighbor, is the time for you to submit sketches for the cover. I have no idea if they would accept them, or if they always have their own artists do it, but I would very much love one by you & will ask Mr. Gollancz31 when I meet him. … I loved your idea of ONE32 under glass, & you could surround that with a border of Red Indians, French Apaches, marching workers etc—the things one was trying to escape TO.33 So, do get on it, and send it to the island…
We had a glorious party last night—all my newfound friends plus some old ones; Dear James, Cedric Belfrage, Doris Lessing (a very nice writer), various lawyers I’ve met through the Turners. There was a Negro (American) woman there who told a long thing about a man she met called William Mitford, who claimed to be a cousin of ours & on the strength of it bummed thousands of free meals; was finally imprisoned for bad checks; & Nancy issued a news release on behalf of the family saying he was an imposter & no relation. The Negro woman said Wm Mitford is awfully nice in spite of being a bit of a burglar, so I plan to look him up & claim him as my long lost cousin. That’d throw a spanner in the machinery, as the English say, wouldn’t it? …
Neighb, I do so miss all of you. At least old Bob will be here quite soon now…
Best love to you, Steven, Pele & Nina34 when you write,
Neighb
To Barbara Kahn
London May 4, 1959
Dearest Barb(ara),
… I miss you all fearfully, specially now, because if one mentions to an English person that one’s book has been accepted, the answer is most likely: “Oh, really.” Because most of the ones one’s met have had masses of their own published. Such is life; as I have remarked to Benj more than once, one has to learn to take the bitter with the sweet.
I was also v. interested about the Berkeley election. Believe it or not, the English are way behind us in some respects. For example, there is a strong rumor current that Certain People35 are planning to put up a colored candidate against Mosley (running in the dist. where I’m living),36 an almost fatal move, in my opinion, much like the housing proposition in Berkeley as far as the probable effect. Am hoping to see some of the C.P. in question to try to talk them out of it. My idea is to make a few huge posters of Mosley, with photos of him hobnobbing with Hitler and Mussolini, and circulate those—just to remind people. This idea has been accepted with A. Lacrity. The only trouble is, all news photo agencies have been canvassed, and there aren’t any such photos. So, I guess that leaves it up to us to steam some out of Muv’s scrapbooks at the Island; I do hope she won’t notice….
