“If not where are we? Curiously enough, this sort of thing does not worry me—at least, not much.... Nothing but the necessity of working with other people would have made me allow the matter to be so delayed. June is our month, and always has been. However, I am quite cool about matters. The inevitable must be endured.”
“Myra Lodge, July 11, 8 a.m.
“The chairman sends Col. Airey’s note to say Princess Mary declines. I shall go at once to consult Mr. Elliott.”
“202, Camden Road, July 11, 11 a.m.
“Mr. Elliott is going to try the Duke of Edinburgh. I am to get rid of the Albert Hall, however, coûte que coûte.
“Everything is at a standstill. Never in my working life has there been such a complete fiasco.”
“July 13.
“I must write later to answer your notes fully, but, at 8 o’clock this morning, I went to our vicar, Mr. Cutts, for a note to the bishop’s chaplain, whom I do not know. I then went to Mr. Elliott; returned to breakfast, and then dashed out with the fixed determination not to return until the Prize Day arrangements had been made.
“I drove in the storm to St. James’ Square (London House), Bishop not there, but at Fulham; drove to Fulham, sent in my note to the chaplain, who saw me at once, and asked me to go to the bishop. I said I wanted to ask a question, and would not disturb him if possible. So Mr. Gamier took in my message, ‘Would the bishop preside for even half an hour at our meeting—on any hour and any day in the next fortnight.’
“The bishop positively had not one hour available. He went through his list, but he would give me Monday, the 29th, at 3 o’clock. Of course I accepted, rushed away to St. James’ Hall—not to be had anyhow for two months—thence to Willis’ Rooms, which we can have.