THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

[25 May l934]

Dear Isobel & Imogen

My very dearest love to you both.  I know you don’t want me to say more & I know that you know that he has it & you have it.
My only thought is now which ever way I turn what are we to do without him – every thing seems to have turned back to him – what would Gustav think or advise or do. 
But I do believe as you told me that he did not want to go on in this life unless it could be a full one – and perhaps it is a fuller & better one for him now – so it is purely selfish of me perhaps to want it different.¹
I longed to come straight away & see you when dear Imogen telephoned me this morning – & you know you have only got to say “come” & I will come at once.²
RVW

1. Holst had died following the operation for the removal of a duodenal ulcer; it was likely that Holst would have remained an invalid had he survived.
2. For Isobel Holst’s reply see VWL1243.