Villequies

Seine-Mastime

23 August 1969

Dear Mamma,

Thank you for your lovely letter and for working so hard on my flat. It is transformed. My guests are surprised and pleased. I hope it was not too uncomfortable for you and Papa. I will get heals to come take away those horse hair mattresses and make me new ones from them. They can recurl the hair. If you can send me some big sheets it would be lovely. Big beds are less unusual in the states and cotton is cheaper. They do not have to be very fine sheets but tough. I will get the flat organized and the ordinary parts of life into a settled routine. It would be much less wasteful of time and energy. I will see if I can get a woman to clean it. I know perfectly well that I am not the love ‘em and leave ‘em type but doing something about it is easier said than done. I am sure that I am hell to live with and it is very difficult to find a suitable woman. I know lots of women who would marry me but I am not sure I should marry them. The only thing to do is to wait and see what happens, i.e., whom I meet. I am almost certain to marry again, but when I do not know. I am in no hurry. Even with my inefficient life I am getting quite a lot done: three notes out and in the press. I would rather not make a mistake twice.

We are in a lovely place on the banks of the Seine. The food is not too good, which is a shame. Thank you again for all your work.

Much love,

Peter