1939

Athens Feb 22 1939

Dear George,

I enclose letters received from Mr.Megaw with a copy of my reply. Little comment is necessary -- and there is not time for much of it anyhow. I suppose that we cannot refuse to pay for the repair of the mosaic -- and it certainly must be repaired -- even th whole cost, since the rule Mr.Megaw quotes seems clearly to place the whole responsibility on the Expedition.

You see in my letter to Megaw that I don't think I can get to Cyprus before April. Apart from the Corinthian work, still dragging on, the reason is that I am sorely tempted to accept Blegen's ingent invitation to go with him to Pylos for his preliminary campaign which he claims is to last only a month, Mar 15 to April 15, and in which he claims my presence would be valuable. So please let me know just what you think about my continued absence from Curium? I should rather like to accommodate Blegen if that can be done without harm to other interests. He arrived last Saturday (when I first learned that he greatly desired me to help him at Pylos) to make Athens his headquarters for a month, then to be at Pylos, and then about April 15 to go to Constantinople. Returning from Turkey he plans to visit Cyprus.

I have heard nothing from Pete, and so suppose that he has held to his original plan and returned to Cyprus via Alexandria. If so, I shall be expecting a long letter from him soon from Episkopi.

I am very sorry to be throwing the whole responsibility for the mosaic on you, but I should probably not have been able to follow you to Episkopi by the second sailing after yours -- there was never any chance that I could do better than that. Of course you will have the beautiful room called mine used until I do come, if there is occasion.

John Young will be coming, probably a bit late. He has two papers to finish before he can leave here.

Please give my best to John Wyeth; his presence in Episkopi is one of the reasons that I regret postponement of my own coming. Let him remember that Cypriote sunlight is strong and can damage eyes!

Also please remember me to Christo and Savvi and Savva, as well as the Muktars and whomever else you think being remembered would gratify.

As ever

This letter should be proof-read, but there is not time.

Printed: TELEGRAMME (Long Distance) / map of Mediterranean / AIR MAIL / THE COMMERCIAL CABLE COMPANY

Stamp: Athens (Greek postmark, illegible)