The Henson Journals

[29]

Monday, November 7th, 1921.

Another very cold but brilliant day. Rather reluctantly, for I am still far from well, I resolved to accompany Lilley to Houghton–le–Spring, before attending a meeting of the Bede College Committee in the afternoon. We left the castle at 11 a.m., and in less than an hour were at the Rectory where we found Knight expecting us. The little man is telling effectively on his difficult parish, and I think that the clergy are perceiving that in him they have a Rural Dean who means business. Indeed, he seems to be fitting in to his position so successfully that I should hesitate to move him, if the opportunity arrived. After an early lunch with the Knights, we motored to Durham where I presided over a meeting of the Bede Committee, while Lilley went to service in the cathedral. We returned home directly after service, for I stupidly forgot that I was pledged to take tea at St Chad's, & interview an Ordination candidate. I sent a note to Bickmore telling him that I could not preside, as I had promised, at the C.M.S. meeting tonight. I received "birthday letters" from Godfrey, Lord Charnwood, & from the Mayor of Sunderland. The weather has become very cold. As we motored homewards, the red setting sun, very resplendent, seemed to proclaim the advent of WINTER.