1 39, Belgrave Square, Rathmines, Dublin. 23 January, 1916 My dearest May, I came down to breakfast this
morning with a wild hope that I might
have a note from you but without without any
real expectation of it because I knew
Saturday would be a busy day with you
in addition to your being the sole housekeeper
at present. Needless to say therefore how
overjoyed I was to get your dear note. Even
although it was a short one, I'd rather have
it than the finest literature in the English 2 language. I was very sorry indeed to see that
you are not yet quite well and I sincerely
trust — selfishness as usual — that it
won't interfere with my seeing you this
week. It is sweet of you to say that you
are looking forward to your visit to
Dublin. You can imagine how I look
forward to it and to seeing my dear
girl in a few days more. Please don't get
into the dumps again. If you do, I'll be
inclined to think you're getting sorry for
your bargain. Just to cheer you up I'll
tell you a joke. I was coming home one
day about a week ago and as usual
I was thinking about you — I may confess this
is a habit of about three years standing— I looked up suddenly and there was Venus
shining down on me benevolently from the
evening sky. This is gospel truth — and
ever since I have her company on my
way home in the evening. If you like to
see for yourself , you'll see her any evening
about half an hour after sunset in the
Western sky. You can't mistake her as
you can't see any other star so early after
sunset. So now you know. I wrote to Mrs Seery on Friday as
well as yourself so I hope that will service
her jealousy and keep her in good humour
till I see you both. I was way laid on
O'Connell Bridge yesterday by Josephine , Mrs
George and Kathleen and had to stand the 3 usual chaff from them all. Mrs G said
I was a sly boy. Now I wonder am I.
I thought that every one could see as
plain as possible that I was after you for
a very long time past. To tell truth
the only thing I ever found wrong with
you was your age. I was always ashamed
to speak and so I put it off although I
have the idea at the back of my head
for the last three or four years. Well, my dearest dear, it's twelve
midnight now so I must close up. I couldn't
manage to write in time for first and know
I shouldn't have time tomorrow but you'll
have this on Tuesday. Let me know early what
day you're coming. I shall close now with
warmest love and kisses to my dearest girl. Goodbye, dear.
Your loving James