ANTONIN DOLOHOV: 21 October, 1939
Mama,
I know that you are concerned. There is no need to tell me so many times. Father told me that you were worried because I have never spent Christmas away from home. I realise that if I do go with Ophucius I will not see you again until Easter. I know this is a long time, but I would really like to go with him. Father said that travelling to new countries was always a good experience and worthwhile. He doesn’t mind.
If you like, I suppose I do not have to stay for the whole of the holidays. Just for a week, before Christmas? Ophucius said that his parents would meet us at the platform at Kings Cross, and then we could all travel together on the train down to Montpellier, and then travel to their villa. I could stay for a little while and then go back home later. There is more travelling involved, but I don’t mind.
Father tells me you are worried about anything happening to me so far from home without you there. Mother, I am twelve years old now and more than capable of caring for myself away from home during term-time, and going to France is no different to that. If anything, it will be easier for me then being at school. French is much easier than English. Ophucius said it was unlikely we would be leaving the house without his parents in any case, so there is no need for you to worry about anything happening to me. And there will be many others from the household about. I don’t think there will be any trouble at all. Please stop fretting.
Please mother. Father is more than happy to let me go. You are just being over-protective and paranoid.
I know that you have never met Ophucius or his parents, but we are very good friends and as his parents have been kind enough to extend this invitation to me, I would not wish to appear rude and have to decline it. Ophucius told me his parents would write to you if you were worried about anything, so I have included their address. Please mama, write to them? I really really want to go.
I know that you are concerned. There is no need to tell me so many times. Father told me that you were worried because I have never spent Christmas away from home. I realise that if I do go with Ophucius I will not see you again until Easter. I know this is a long time, but I would really like to go with him. Father said that travelling to new countries was always a good experience and worthwhile. He doesn’t mind.
If you like, I suppose I do not have to stay for the whole of the holidays. Just for a week, before Christmas? Ophucius said that his parents would meet us at the platform at Kings Cross, and then we could all travel together on the train down to Montpellier, and then travel to their villa. I could stay for a little while and then go back home later. There is more travelling involved, but I don’t mind.
Father tells me you are worried about anything happening to me so far from home without you there. Mother, I am twelve years old now and more than capable of caring for myself away from home during term-time, and going to France is no different to that. If anything, it will be easier for me then being at school. French is much easier than English. Ophucius said it was unlikely we would be leaving the house without his parents in any case, so there is no need for you to worry about anything happening to me. And there will be many others from the household about. I don’t think there will be any trouble at all. Please stop fretting.
Please mother. Father is more than happy to let me go. You are just being over-protective and paranoid.
I know that you have never met Ophucius or his parents, but we are very good friends and as his parents have been kind enough to extend this invitation to me, I would not wish to appear rude and have to decline it. Ophucius told me his parents would write to you if you were worried about anything, so I have included their address. Please mama, write to them? I really really want to go.