From Arthur to Stella: ‘without any mock modesty, I never can see anything good in anything I write’

Saturday
London
Dearest,
Another brief letter today, I’m afraid, as I’ve had a morning off and had left your letter until today. However, it was after ten o’clock when I woke and since then I’ve been bathing, shaving and ironing my white flannels. It’s now noon and I have still to get lunch and get dressed in about half an hour! Jack Gray and I had a very pleasant day in the open air yesterday, of which I’ll tell you in my next letter.
Many thanks for your letter, love, which was waiting for me when I got home. Thanks, too, for the cutting from the ‘Echo’ and all the nice things you say but, without any mock modesty, I never can see anything good in anything I write. Unless I write them, put them straight into an envelope and post them without even reading them, the inevitable happens. I throw them on the fire! With news stories it is different. You have concrete facts and you either get them or you don’t. There’s no middle road.
Funny you should be all stuffed up. Just now I’ve a real dose of hay fever, but it is only the discomfort of it that worries me. In myself I’m feeling fine through getting out so much lately. Hope you are feeling better now.
I loved your stories of the children. Michael is a wily little devil, isn’t he? My love to Wendy and tell her I’m very proud of her! Tell her I think she has done very well indeed and that I’m looking forward to seeing her book when I come home.
I have wondered about the chives several times lately and I’m glad you rescued them in time.
The answer to your feeling about “jiggers” is that someone probably frightened you with a threat as to what would happen if you went along them, or perhaps someone jumped out on you – in childish fun.
Can’t understand about ‘Lilliput’s. They were posted separately at the same time as the others. I’ll be annoyed if they have been lost.
Glad to see your Day to Day par. Try George White with some little poems again.
Sorry to be so rushed with this. I had intended to start it last night, but when I got in Dot had some friends in – as she’s entitled to have, of course! Anyway, I’ll try to write you a decent letter tomorrow.
Bye for now. I’m glad you are taking care of your cold. That’s a good girl. Love to both the children and all my love to you, dearest.
Ever your own,
Arthur X