17 June 1953
Dear Mamma and Daddy,
I shall write a joint letter, as I have run out of air letters.
Yesterday I went to town for the first time in six weeks & bought a white linen dinner
jacket from Simpsons. I hope it will be all right; perhaps I should not have done it. Anyway.
Will you please bring Papa's old dinner jacket, please? I need the trousers anyway, & it is cold
enough in Sweden to need the jacket. I shall probably buy a new d.b. tailor made next year. Too
late here now.
I cracked my right clavicle the other day. It is getting better but I cannot contract the
trapezius, with a consequent large drop of the right shoulder. My clothes don't fit.
I went to the King's May Ball in a party of six with Alfred Tissires. It was quite
pleasant, but not hotsy totsy. I took a young Danish girl I am rather fond of. I borrowed a
lovely, black, evening cloak from Victor and was hot stuff. Sarah was there looking like
350,000 with a celebrity of Cambridge who had just completed his career by being sent down.
I have yet to meet her, but would prefer to wait a couple of years & see if she settles down.
About a week ago I read a letter from my tutor to Papa. The Tutor showed it to me.
Rather interesting. I am not sure how much of this letter he determined himself and how much I
told him. I had discussed on our first meeting my unsureness as to my life and my work. Still
unsure.
I guess I shall go to Paris June 29th. The Orient Express leaves Paris at 2200 & arrives
Stuttgart 0835. I shall plan to leave Paris July 1 & ar. Stuttgart July 3rd at 8:35. It depends on
whether you go to the Porsche people on July 2nd or not. If you really go see them, I would like
to go. Why don't you tell me when you will go, & if it is July 3rd, I shall arrive then & meet you
directly. I would then leave Cambridge June 29th instead of 28th.
I want to go to Marburg for a bit to see Maria von Stein, but I can do it by myself. It is
thought here that three months is a long vacation.
I have been reading some German. Heyse. Pretty easy. My German has deteriorated a
great deal in the last few years. No vocabulary.
I do not know where to put all my books for the summer. I owe Heffers a good deal of
money.
Anyway please tell me Porsche plans. and please bring old dinner jacket.
Much love
(XXXXOOOO)10! Peter
I see the Tylers fairly often. Stevie is fine, having a good time I think.
Strict instructions must be left with householder to send any mail from draft board to me.
I think c/o American Express, Stockholm.