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RHW:R
January 12th, 1939

Dear Hugh:

We haven't chatted together in so long that I really feel quite badly about it. However, the news from your side has also been so scarce that it somewhat relieves my conscience. Except from Buddy who arrived here as the "Madonna of the Sleeping Car", and a short notice in the paper the other day that you and Anna had given a large dinner, I haven't had a bit of news from you. I have been tormenting my mind for the reason of this disfavor, but must say that I feel as pure as snow.

I was very glad to read this reconciliatory note in the paper and I sincerely hope that all misunderstandings and "contretemps" have been straightened out to your entire satisfaction.

I had on several occasions almost started to write you, but this town has been very busy these past months. Although general business is extremely poor -- our art world completely dead -- the social functions have reached what one might call a new high.

I don't know whether I wrote you that Marion Cooley and I had arranged a ball at the Ritz just before Christmas which went over with a bang and was an extremely good party, though financially we forgot to take 12% from the gross for Federal, State, and City taxes into consideration, which left us with the large profit of $117.60 per person -- really not worth the enormous amount of work and trouble, but a good time was had by all and it may lead to something for the future.

You probably had all other news of the past two weeks from Dwight who left southward bound last Saturday and is at the Miami Colonial Hotel in Miami. But, At the moment we are anticipating a couple of brilliant openings in the theatre such as Clifton Webb's, "The Importance of Being Earnest" tonight and Jack Wilson's production of "Dear Octopus" tomorrow. Noel Coward will also launch forth with a musical production that opened in Boston and which I understand is very good.

By-the-by, at the Bal des Boules Blanches I had an orchestra -- Leo Dryer -- playing for us which was sensational. Dryer played last summer at the Casino in Cannes and was then engaged by Mrs. G. Munn for Francesca's coming out party and also by Mrs. Cartwright and Roger Benjamin. The great success of our ball has to be ascribed to Dryer's music and when he asked whether I could recommend him to some of my friends, I told him to write to you.

t.s.v.p.