Correspondence from Betty May to David Garnett*

 

     

 

5 Skree Court

Bligh Way,

Strood,

Kent.

 

 

April 28th 1977

 

 

Dear David

 

Such trouble I am in. Sometime back I was told by the Warden to stop using oil so I bought a [illegible] electric heater.

 

My bill which has just arrived is £14.63. This is utterly impossible to pay this enormous sum.

 

I wonder if you would help me. I shall have to give it up. I likely cannot afford to pay such a large sum.

 

So if instead you were sending me a Xmas present. Things are terribly expensive here.

 

Oh David I am terribly sorry to ask you, but I don't know which way to turn.

 

You are the very last person I should come to for help, because you have been so very kind to me all these years. Forgive my dreadful writing I am terribly worried.

 

My Love

 

Betty May

 

 

* David Garnett (1892–1981) was an author and wrote eleven novels as well as his autobiography; he edited the letters of T.E. Lawrence and the novels of Thomas Love Peacock. He and Francis Birrell started a bookshop; he helped found the Nonesuch Press and the publishing firm of Rupert Hart-Davis.

 

 

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