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13th June 1958.
Dear Mrs. Riviere,
I would like you to have a note from me before I go to Portugal for a week. You were very kind to me about helping over the Jones obituary.1
Naturally I am disturbed that you are upset in regard to the other arrangements.2 In my opinion what I have done wrong is very slight and ought not to cause any upset. Anyone ringing you up at the present time about a birthday on 28th June must be barmy and I cannot hold myself responsible for such a person. It is true that the notices went out rather early but I had to do something before going away.
I said that I would let you know before doing anything but by this I meant arranging a celebration or writing a notice; in fact you knew about the party as it was all fixed up by Paula Heimann and I was very glad about it. Many other people will be glad too. What I did in sending out the notices did not seem to call for a consultation with yourself.
For some reason or other you are, I think, unduly sensitive about this matter of your birthday. If you just leave it you will find that it works out all right. Those who like to be reminded what an important part you played in the history of the Society or who are fond of you will like to have this opportunity to pay their respects, and the others can ignore the date.
I would like to say something more, which is that there are a lot of generous people in the world, but very few who can receive. I do hope that you will be able on this occasion of your birthday to just receive. Some of what you get will be good, even if the rest is false.3
Thank you for the notes about Jones.
Good wishes, Yours,