July–December 1936

Corinth, August 26 1936.

Dear Hannah,

I have been a very long time in answering your brief letter of July 14, partly because I was not ready but of late wholly because of my habit of delay. Please forgive me.

It will, I think, be most convenient and safest if you stop a day or two in Athens on the way to Cyprus so that we may talk over the work and you may take with you any needed plans or drawings that I may have. Unfortunately I haven't yet the whole series. When I was in Cyprus Mcf and I selected the drawings we thought he ought to show the Phila. Museum for him to take there and bring back. He left the roll behind and by bad luck when we sent instructions to Christo to forward it to Philadelphia by post we (or I) told him to insure it for its value This could not be done with the PO (as I ought to have foreseen) and Christofoullnd an agent who would insure only after communicating with his principals in Switzerland. Christo then wrote me for further instructions and finally sent the roll off very late. It had not arrived when McF talked with Jayne (to whom he showed photographs of the drawings) and I have not yet heard whether they came before McF started again for Europe. If so, he was to bring them; if not, to leave instructions that they be sent to Episkopi. If he brought them it is an even bet whether he has them with him now or has sent them to the 'gamothrace' in Piraeus or to Episkopi. I am writing him again on the subject.

The houses in Episkopi, or at least the farther one, will be at your disposal. There is again a little uncertainty about the main house because of the disagreements of the Chrysostomides brothers, but I expect it to be available. George the chauffeur will probably not be about.

Both Christo and Savvi will be at your service. If the work you have for them interferes with their duties as guards a substitute guard can be employed. Perhaps you will prefer, anyhow, to have Savvi remain at the house and to take on your Michali for Curium. Then M would help you when you are on the acropolis, and Christo when you work in the Apollo sanctuary, while Savvi would bring lunches -- Pete D. declares that Savvi cooks rather well. Of course you will not wish to walk to the Apollo sanctuary and very likely not to the acropolis, and some arrangement will have to be made for transportation. I hope it may not be too unsatisfactory from the point of view of a horsewoman.

If, as I hope, you can manage to go to Cyprus via Athens please let me know when and I will be there. Sailings to Limassol from Piraeus in September are: by the Greek line 3rd & 17th, by Lloyd 9th and 23rd. The former goes direct, the latter touches at Candia. Rates of both are reasonable now -- the Lloyd used to be pretty high, as you know. I expect to leave Athens for America via England about the middle of October. Until then I am to be more here than anywhere else but in Athens when there is occasion.