Letter from Hadley Hemingway to her parents

113, Rue Notre-Dame. des. Champs Paris VI.

Dearest Mother & Father: -

I know that anyone who spent so much love and thoughtfulness on Christmas for their children must have enjoyed Christmas themselves! I never saw such a box. On account of the two customs we had to wait until we got back here (March 14th) to open it and mother, the date is certainly a credit to the quality of your fruitcake! Every crumb of it was perfect and not only we ourselves but several of our friends benefited by it. In fact it ended as dessert at a supper where two friends dropped in, fell on it and brought its life to a much regretted close. Ernie is so crazy about it - could I have the recipe for the day when we have an oven? He is also pleased to death with his razor and blades (his favorite kind and his old set gone to pieces) and the neckties. I think he has written you about them, Father. Anyway if he hasn't he will soon. I am using my rubber apron, cooking and taking care of Bumbie and Bumbie besides revelling in all his new toys is

using the cunning bib daily - its very becoming. The lavender bag is charming with the little rosettes and Swiss handkerchief is a lovely one. Besides always needing handkerchiefs I adore that color. Also I adore the strange beautiful bird, made, I think by Carol - I have it in our dressing room on the wall, for a bit of colour. She is clever to invent him. I like him awfully. Bumbie is wild over the little train sent by Leicester, also his lizard and doll which he has in his tub. He has a great big one this year and the more birds beasts and humans he has around him the happier he is. Marce sent him a check and its going into buggy, high chair and [?] dresses and nighties with other checks, from grandfather and Aunt Grace and friends.

We had a wonderful time in Schruns - had friends with us all the time - and took many big skiing trips. Bumbie had a wonderful nurse whom we hope to have again later on and three or four times we spent days at a stretch in mountain huts to be near good snow with Bumbie in good hands at the big old country hotel - the Taube. It's as

peaceful, big and airy as it's name implies and everyone was wonderful to us. The joyful climax of our trip was at Madlenerhaus, one of the big huts of the Alpin Club; where a friend brought up two telegrams from two very dear friends, Don Stewart and Harold Loeb (formerly of the Broom) saying that Boni and Liveright had taken Ernest's book of short stories "In Our Time." It is the beginning of good launching it seems. Some of the stories are being translated into Russian by Miss [?]ylenko of the Russian Embassy in Paris. He has a big fishing story "The Big Two-Hearted River" coming out in the opening number of "This Quarter" an American + English magazine that promises to do well over here. It is to be on sale in the states too. ALso a story "The Undefeated" (bullfighter's tale) in "Der Querschnitt," March or April number.

We are all three terrifically well and happy. We love our apartment here and we are well-settled already, altho we are

always on the lookout for something cheaper and better. The baby is a wonder - walks, and talks (in three languages!) and is so handsome it hurts. He is going to wear his khaki suit playing in the sandpile in The Luxembourg - its grand. How did you like his picture?

Ernie + Bill Smith are having a grand correspondance. I am so happy that is all smooth again. Bill is a great fellow - we are hoping to see him and [?] over here this summer.

Ever and ever so much love and thanks - from us all three

Devotedly your daughter

Hadley

March 20th 1925