Got Mass by the skin of my teeth this morning. Bargained 14 more stamps off Brian! After dinner went off to Horgans’. Joe and I rowed up the river, landed and had a game with his new rugby football, then had a fine swim, diving and clinging on to the boat after the bailiff had passed down, for swimming is forbidden within 5 miles above the water works. Raced back and Ivor and the two of us got into Grace’s house again, and I played the beautiful Steinway grand there. After dinner, Ivor and Joe rode around the house, I acting as ‘speed cop’. Then cycled to Arthur. They are all looking fine after their holiday, but I have grown a few stretches on Arthur. They were describing to me at great length the fine time they had, but Fountainstown is not the place for me. Money and suitors and frivolity is the atmosphere there, and though opposed to it, it would be bound to influence me.
