The Kerb-Crawling of Ms. Alice Zimmer
To: Marjorie Bathsheba Catheter Jodrell-Bentley
Subject: A Concerning Positive Reaction
My dear Batty
I fear you may have taken leave of your senses. The whole idea of travelling abroad with Ms. Zimmer and her Aunt Enid seems to me to be most reckless and foolhardy. And I must say I cannot in all conscience imagine Miss Twigham and Ms. Zimmer being confined for any period of time together, let alone three days.
(I am somewhat of the opinion that Christmas 1944 does not count as they were not, in fact, on the same continent.)
Still, one or two of our number seem rather keen on the idea – including Mrs Goldman and Mrs Schmidt, the latter of whom kept referring to it as the furthest land, or something similar. And since Miss Twigham is somewhat obstinately determined to attend, I fear I must also come along. I am, after all, well versed in the art of dealing with insurance companies and relatives.
If you are willing to make the necessary arrangements I might suggest that a preliminary booking for six of my ladies may be all that is required. Do you know of any secluded hotels?
Bearing in mind the proximity of the trip to Christmas it also gives us an ample chance to do some shopping. And Ms. Havelock seems to think much good may come of stocking up on the duty free on the way back (and indeed, one suspects, on the way over).
Yours,
C.