The Henson Journals

[30]

Monday, 23rd April, 1923.

William drove me to Darlington to catch the London express. Clayton went with me, and we were both nearly frozen by the bitter wind. Sir Hugh Bell joined the train at York, and was vivacious & interesting as ever. His daughter, the redoubtable Gertrude, is returning home immediately . She is opposed to an evacuation of Mesopotamia at this juncture, & thinks that, in a few years time, the Arabs might form a stable state.

I called at 7 Victoria Street, and saw Marion. She is evidently in a grave state, and the position is not improved by her evident depression. She even talked as if it were an agreed point that she was suffering from cancer , an idea which, of course, I scouted, though perhaps with more eagerness than confidence. However we must see that the radium treatment will effect. The woeful thing is that, with the best will in the world, one can but be an onlooker on the sorrows of those we love .

I dined in the Guildhall with the Royal Society of S. George. The Prince of Wales presided, and spoke very well. I was placed beside the Lord Chief Justice who began the conversation by reminding me that he had read the lessons in University College Chapel when I read the service as chaplain . That must be not less than 37 years ago. We had much interesting talk together, and parted with many professions of mutual regard. He is an odd–looking little round man, who doesn't give the impression of extraordinary ability. But he talks with knowledge and intelligence.

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