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I.(d). # R.T.O. A.P.O.S. 37. B.E.F. France. 21.IV.1917. Paving over sadness expressed to Bull the preceding day, Masefield pens quick reply her letter of April 3rd. Masefield discusses: his work along the Somme; an enemy ‘beaten back’; and, the current, much drier, battlefield conditions than those prevailing 6 weeks or 6 months earlier (cartoon postscript included).

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The Harvard Club. 27. W. 44th St. New York. Jan 27, 1918. Masefield reports trying to reach Bull by phone ‘yesterday’; notes his departure for the west until April; wishes Bull a happy time in the country and good news from her brother; hopes to see her upon his return.

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At 2970, Ellis Ave, Chicago, Ill. Feb 10. 1918. Masefield replies to Bull’s charming offer to send his children American books; details interests of his teenage daughter and young son; expresses great pleasure in having found Bull looking so well [date unknown]; believes he is “to speak for” Bull in April; hopes to meet and talk with her then.

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At Chicago. Feb 11. [1918]. Masefield thanks Bull for her beautiful poem which he sent, at once to The Daily News with Bull’s name on it; hopes they will be as “delighted” with it as he is.

Scope and Contents The Tacoma Tacoma, Wash., April 1st, 1918. Surprised by news from Bull, that The Forge’s editor, Jasper Yeates Brinton, is ‘under [military] orders’, Masefield acknowledges that it may alter his travel plans, necessitating a return to the front in France before he makes any further visits to U.S. military training camps. Also,in reply to Bull, Masefield denies knowing war stories devoid of bad language and thus eligible for publication by The Forge; he offers, instead, anecdotes of...

Scope and Contents Harvard Club. 29.IV.1918. Masefield sends many thanks to Bull for her kind welcome at Litchfield; forwards two little books to her; and reminds Bull not to forget the walking tour ‘for after the war’. The enclosure is a ‘playbill’ for The Locked Chest, written in one act by John Masefield and staged at the Westover School on April 27, 1918. It lists Characters, Coaches and Crew. NOTE: In June 1918, The Forge published its fourth and final issue in which D.B.’s poem, “The Eastward Road”,...

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HARVARD CLUB. 27 WEST 44th STREET [New York, NY]. May 8 [1918]. Replying to Bull and ‘all her enclosures, Masefield is pleased to hear of the success of Bull’s poem [reference unknown]; spurs Bull to do more to honor her lovely gift of writing simple and telling poetry; offers her advice and a forwarding address as he is ‘off for the camps on the 13th’.

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HARVARD CLUB 27 WEST 44th STREET. May 13 [1918]. Masefield thanks ‘my dear Dorothy’ for sending his children, Judith (1904-1988) and Lewis (1910-1942), books from America. He encloses their thank you notes and family snapshots including one of Masefield’s wife Constance (1867-1960). All squint in bright spring light. Judith is clad in khaki coat and leggings and wields a hoe over shoulder. Lewis and “Mother“ stand before a fence, a gate, and a garden wall.

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HARVARD CLUB 27 WEST 44th STREET. 14. May [1918]. Masefield -- recovering from a sore throat and starting south soon -- replies that if he has any leisure before sailing in August he will most gladly see Bull again; reminds her that she is a valued friend with a fresh nice mind; assures her that he would love to help Bull develop her writing talents; urges her to write and write; notes, in closing, that his publisher will forward her letters to him.

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Hotel Imperial Greenville, SC May 29, 1918. Masefield thanks Bull for undated note, picture, and note with snapshots for Judith; reports uncertain travel plans; believes his tour will conclude in New Orleans on June 12th; would love to visit Bull June 16-17 if he is ‘not switched on to some other job’ following a return to N.Y. on the 15th.