SHAW

saying that he has been puzzling over this business of the amalgamation with the 300, which was evidently made without any serious attempt to think it out. Neither we nor Mrs Whitworth provided for the situation which was bound to arise if Mrs Whitworth pressed her privilege. But the disadvantage was more hers than ours, because we had nothing to do but pursue our normal course, whereas she had to attack it... Until we have definitely refused her some specific demand she cannot go to the courts to claim specific performances and damages. And we must avoid a lawsuit, because the bank would probably call in the overdraft if we became involved in litigation... I do not think we can now rely on her failure to supply the expected addition to the membership, because we have accepted her contribution as sufficient by letter her do the Lawrence plays... At all events, let us waive that, and consider what she can claim... Mrs Whitworth is entitled to a certain proportion of the season's plays by simply proposing them... The effect is to set up a dictatorship of Mrs Whitworth plus one supporter over a substantial part of the Society's work and revenue. Such an arrangement could work only with a dictator of supreme talent and tact, and a fairly representative taste in plays; and the fact is that she is breaking down shows that the tact at least is lacking.., in the autograph postscript he says IMPORTANT. On Monday the critics were refused their programs except for payment. This is worse than the House of Lords Bill plus those earth quakes. The Times critic made a scene about it (as I am told). We must send programs with the press tickets in future and apologise abjectly..., 2 sides 4to., 10 Adelphi Terrace, London, 23rd July