Letter to 'My dearest Ellen,' 12 October 1940 — describing her own 'funeral' (page 4)
Book 1, Page 540 ·1940
Transcription
[Page 4. Continued from page 539.]
a little tense. Of course, I had summoned Kit, Mary and their numberless children — all there with tear-dimmed eyes. When the last few words had been spoken and the ashes had been strewn on the bier, we took up the argument earnestly, not to say heatedly. We rushed from tomb to tomb reading inscriptions, dates — they protesting that you had gone to an endless sleeping, we that you were utterly alive — helpful, joyful, lovable — in the
AI Notes
Fourth sheet of the six-page Judge Hammond letter (pages 537–542), numbered ‘4’ in pencil at the top centre. Continuing his elaborate fancy of the recipient’s funeral, Hammond writes that he had summoned ‘Kit, Mary and their numberless children’ (other FitzSimons kin) to the graveside; when the last words had been spoken and the ashes strewn on the bier, the mourners rushed from tomb to tomb reading inscriptions and dates, the mourners protesting she had gone to an endless sleep, he insisting she was utterly alive — helpful, joyful, lovable. Addressee is Ellen Milliken FitzSimons (‘Aunt Ellen,’ 1862–1953).
Letter continues on page 541.