Page 108 of A Thousand Painted Hours

For now, I’ve gone to Nina, and you must stay where you are, living cheaply with your husband. There’s nothing left in England for us.

I love you, and I wish I could be there to share your grief.

Elsie

[Enclosed letter and a sketch of William’s grave site]

March 29, 1919

Palace of the Raj

Lahore

Dear Elsie,

I am enclosing two things for you today, perhaps to cheer you up. One is a newspaper article about Tanveer and the Indian National Congress. He gave a fine speech last week and is highly respected as a member of the party. His time in England made him a fiery warrior. It’s quite thrilling to watch.

The other is a bit of a surprise. Please check page 16 in the enclosed magazine.

Your friend,

Gurdaya

[Enclosed newspaper article about Maharaja of Talwarpur and his speech]

[Enclosed copy ofThe Bombay Storybook Magazine, with an older woman in spectacles and a dupatta peeking through a curtain with a spyglass in her hand.Aunty-Ji, Investigator, by Guriya Kaur.]

June 1, 1919

Greylake, Kent

Dearest Gurdaya! I could not be more proud of you! I cried with happiness. More, more, more!

Another letter soon.

Your friend,

Elsie

April 7, 1919

Talwarpur Palace

[In English]

Dear Elsie,

I am startled to hear from Gurdaya that your brother died. You could have written to tell me such tragic news, surely!

It has been one year to the day since I left England. I have picked up my pen a hundred times since then, but I wanted to give you space to consider your foolish stand. Perhaps I should proceed in the way we are meant to go on, as dear friends.

But I sit at my desk and do not know how to do that. How to pretend you are only my friend, when that is not true, has never been true, will never be true. I miss you most desperately.

I heard that you had to vacate Herewich. Please come to India where I can give you a home. It might crumble to nothing around us, but it will be ours.

Please forget this ridiculous prideful plan of yours and come home.

Ever your love,