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T. E. Lawrence to his family
Jebail
14 Jan. 1911
Richards has written
to me. He has made some changes in the matter of the hut: it is to be
given to a contractor in part, apparently: however that he will write to
you about. The pressing thing is to get the roof, and conserve it. Can
you send him £30, if it is at all possible, when you can? Give him
notice if it cannot be yet, saying when you will be able to pay it. He
is going to learn line-process etching of a city firm, and is short of
cash. Delay the remittance you proposed in your last letter to send to
me, until July, if this would help you at all. Dr. Warren wrote asking
whether he should pay quarterly or half-yearly, and I told him I didn't
care, but that he might ask you. The chances are that you will have
something coming in from Magdalen therefore before the summer. About the
other matter, the suggested advance from Father for building purposes,
that is entirely for his judgement: if he feels inclined to do it, of
course it would make matters much easier for the press. If not we will
have to wait. You know that Richards and I decided last meeting that he
would continue teaching for the present, whatever the fate of the
demyship: we thought it would be wiser, since my power of earning the
demyship depends on my health , and my ability to spend it on the press
depends on my getting a salary, digging, next year and the year after,
or on my getting 'Richard'. It is a great battle of the wits, creative
on his side, for he is doing the work, and utilitarian on mine, for I am
to provide the materials beyond his keep. It will be a comfort when we
get through into smoother water with the whole thing. Green has written
to me. Apparently the thesis might be useful to him even after Jan. 17:
so please send it to him if before Easter it returns from Mr. Barker or
Mr. Jane.
It would be a
distinct kindness if Will went down to see him (Mr. Jane) occasionally,
on pretexts such as Green's request might afford, or even a letter from
me. He lives so much alone, and is so short of money (not his own debts
either, but other people's) that he gets very much despondent, and
visitors who talk decently encourage him. And he is too interesting for
it to be an ordeal. Will no doubt is busy with Mods work. I am hoping
for him to wipe Mr. Powell's eye (or both eyes). If he has specialised
rather on the humanist side, so much the better for himself. I recommend
him The Stream's Secret by D.G.R. and possibly Sartor Resartus
if he is not disgusted with it already. Tell Arnie that Abdullah has
asked in the Suk for a wauri's tail, and that they hadn't one: but he
offers to cure me one if I will get if for him: so I have a revolver by
my bed, and the household sits up in turn to look for one that comes
most nights and eats their chickens and rabbits. Tonight there was great
excitement for a hyena arrived about eleven, and began to crunch bones
just behind a box: then he came out, and we all had a good look at him:
a handsome beast, too. They were very anxious for me to shoot him, but
he wouldn't have been any earthly good to anyone. I wonder how many
shots I will have before I get this tail?
For the rest Arabic,
and Assyrian, and a good deal of French with Mrs. Reider: no antiquities
this month: I may have more time later on. A sirocco yesterday that blew
off some of the school roof, and windows, etc. Today the sea front for a
hundred yards deep, is clouded with spray, all up and down the coast.
The waves are rolling on the rocks like thunder.
N.
Miss Holmes fell
upon Mrs. Abbot's patterns with rapture... many thanks returned for
them.
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