Letter from Lady Catherine Ashburnham to Rupert Gunnis

Gave lunch to Mrs Cecil, Mrs Brooke and Cecily [Bickersteth] at 'the swagger hotel' Shelleys in Lewes. Mrs C has purchased a house at the seaside [at Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire], with no collieries, and may be prepared to let it [to CA] for six months, and would like to have it at a month's notice if she is bombed out of her house near Firle. CA would not want a large house because of [the possible need to accommodate] refugees. It depends on whether Ellen [Bowman] or Amy [Mason] would go; even if Josephine [Crimmings] came down it would be better than staying in this windowless enormous house during the winter. Expects to have evacuees planted on her at Saundersfoot if the servants will not come. Is concerned that the house is in a residential area with no privacy, and fears wireless and jazz going on next door. PS Ellen is happy with the idea. Has written to Mr Pratt to thank him for the books. Is unsure about the man and wife that RG has suggested as servants; they may not like the isolation or living in an all-but-empty house in doodlebug alley.