[RB Journal entry]
June 3.
The Hydes were exemplary - that is, gave us alacritously their hospitality, a gracious luncheon with the best cherry tart I’ve ever eaten, wine, whiskey etc and took us over Kent + Sussex, to Ford M. Ford’s house, Ellen Terry, and all the wonders of the sea coast, Winchester very touching on a promontory above the sea. The downs are splendid but not as beautiful as the Cotswold. Montgomery is an old windbag + not a nice man. All the babble gave me a headache. (I know all about him, his opinions, career, connections with the James’, but I doubt he knows a thing about us.) Aileen said that for some English we are still Ellison’s invisible man.
Lamb House is a jewel set against peerless blue sky on a fine windy corner, but comfortably surrounded by other brick houses, a cheerful place with an adorable walled in garden. Yes, he [Henry James] was contented. How fine + intimate all this is! And how moved I was.
We were given tea ceremoniously + charmingly, in the parlour by Rumor’s husband. She later appeared with diminished daughter (about 30!) in tow + 5 or 6 pekinese, the best I take it of their kind. Not very pleasant dogs but decorative as cats. Yes, they were most sincere + animated when they spoke of their beasts + Beatrix Potter and their wicked driving.
Smashing headache, a result.
In a few minutes I take off for more Kentish places. This should be pleasanter for I’m with someone [Dachine Rainer] I know of old + can be outrageous or natural or whatever it is.