461 words
Maison Alix par Lozanne
69380 France
10 June 1982
Dear Beryl,
I do hope you are not angry with me on account of the Sun brooch! Having not a word from you, I was wondering.
As I tried to explain to you, the Remy couple — before they had children, i.e., a long time ago — for now they have 3 or 4 — came all the way to New Delhi just to see me, and took a number of copies of my last book (printed at my cost from 1971 to 1976) back to Europe for “Gleichgesinnter.” As a remembrance from me — not knowing that you wanted it; not knowing even where you were — I gave Claire Remy that brooch which she seemed to like. So from that day onwards, it is hers. She can do what she likes with it — keep it (for her daughter), give it to whomever she pleases, sell it (only to a “Gleichgesinnte” I hope!). It is no longer my business — although, of course, if really she does not want it any more and wishes to give it away I’d a thousand times rather it be to you than to any person indifferent to all that which that broach meant to me.
I shall never take any money in connection with it, although I be in need. It is, as I say, no longer mine; and anyhow, as a widow, I would never wear it (or any gold or even silver) again. I am faithful to custom immemorial.
How are you? Got a new job? And a satisfying one? If so, do soon come and spend a day with me before the 21st of June, for on that day I am to leave for a fortnight’s holiday. A German friend is to pick me up in Basel on 22-6-82 for a holiday in his house and garden.
I can possibly then find a room where I could keep a cat to feed and love — or get back my Indian nationality and an Indian passport and go home, then of course I would not come back.
Had I only known what awaited me in Europe: being packed off to hospital against my will and protestations, and then dragged from one old women’s “home” to another, also against my will, I never would have left India.
I never want to see a doctor’s face again — or a hospital or old women’s “home.” Rather die in India in the street — at least free.
If I obtained an Indian (i.e., “Commonwealth”) passport, would I be allowed in U.K.? Say, to see the Jones[es], Tears, J. Tyndall, C. Jordan, and Muriel Gantry, before going back? You will be able to tell me that, surely.
With very best love, and the most uplifting of all greetings,
Yours as ever,
Savitri Dêvi Mukherji