1939

9 Plutarch Street, Athens

24 September 1939Dear George,

Your cablegram "If I return would you be free go Cyprus?" came yesterday. I am replying "Not free October: Can go Cyprus November if transportation normal". This will, I think, be understood. By the second sentence I mean that if it is possible in November to get to Cyprus with good prospect of being able to get back I see nothing to prevent my going, as I should like to do. In October I have agreed to take a trip with the American School to Thebes, Delphi, Thermopylae etc, and I must before and after that get in some work at Corinth, where I have done extremely little since March. I came from there August 15th, but I have actually spent a month now in returning for the Pylos plaques -- making a complete photographic record of them and getting them stowed packed carefully so that they can be stowed at short notice in a place of safety. (Miss Frantz did the photographing at the Agora, and I the fetching carrying and recording and checking at and between the National Museum and the Agora). I was much pleased to learn from Mrs. Hill that you had reached America safely on the 'Ile de France', from John Young that the Ottoman Bank account has been strengthened by £199:10, and from your telegram that you think of resuming activity at Curium. For all of us to whom the war brings no direct special responsibilities I am heartily in favor of keeping at our regular peaceful occupations just as far as possible.

John has continued to sendweekly reports which of course reach me now rather irregularly, taking sometimes four, sometimes six, sometimes twelve days on the way. His expenditures have been very reasonable. Here is a summary of them, Aug 1 to Sept 16:

Household supplies etc £17:16:3 Office & Apothoke exps 3: 4:4 Transportation 3:18:6 1/2 Wages 21: 8:4 58: 7:3 1/2 House & Grounds (well &c) 8: 2:8 84:10:7 1/2

Yorko rent etc 16:10: Cash to Pete 2: 0: Larnaca-Nicosia trip 1:19:3 1/2 (time of Pete's sailing) 2: 2:7 1/2 July household bills £87: 4:0 1/2

Receipts have been: From Bank: Ck.BHH Order for August £18: 0:0 Against Sept.order (240) £50: 0:0 Repaid by owner of Bambula lot, of advance made to bind bargain £19: 0:0 2: 0:0 £89: 0:0

I am authorizing John to draw up to £250 in October and, if you have not returned, £40 in November. I count on knowing your plans very soon after you know them!

Handwritten: Telegram + ? 1 Sept Ph? 6 Sept 19 Ph? hw: Sept? 1 ?