T. E. Lawrence to Bruce Rogers

Hythe

23/V/31

Dear B. R.

Indeed you were right. I had to wait till yesterday, when our bosses came here to try the boat, before I could say whether I could get to the Hornby lecture or not.

I am sorry to say it is 'not.' We are to go on testing the boat for at least ten days more, and will not have an easy time till after it is all over. It is a pity. I could have got up so quickly from here, as far as trains are concerned, and I should have liked to have heard him talking to experts.

Here is the proof back, with signed notes by myself You must play umpire now, and settle which text you prefer in each case. Cambridge is a little stiff here and there; and has once, by missing my meaning, shown up an ambiguity.

I've no means of checking the figure '26' in the first line.

Yours

T E Shaw