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Description

This letter relates to several different topics. Marie Seton starts the letter with a reference to fabric patterns (sent separately) for selection by Ronald and Helene. She goes on to write about Menon's jealously of her relationship with Nehru and Indira Gandhi, assumptions that Indira will succeed her father, Indira's stress, and her [Indira's] forthcoming tour of Africa. Seton refers to the welcome back she received from the Nehru family and their efforts to find her a room for the duration of her stay. She tells Moody about a gift of French cheese for Nehru which she brought back from the Orly restaurant and gives an account of Nehru's birthday part at which neither of his sisters nor Menon were present. She also writes about Indira's birthday, for which Seton gave her membership of the BFI, and gives an account of a family lunch with Indira at which Seton was the only non-family member there. She describes meeting at lunch a man called Chagla who was a friend of Satyajit Ray. Seton writes about the question of sorting out the sheep from the goats among Indira's friends, the possibility of Indira succeeding her father [Nehru], and her reluctance to do so. Seton also refers to Nehru's declining health, his affection for her, and her feeling that he is a dying man. She informs Moody of a suggestion that she accompany Nehru to Bombay and Madras and refers to the presence of three golden retrievers in Nehru's house. She also gives an account of her first meeting with Nehru in 1955 and her impressions of him then. She tells Moody of the benefit of 'the System' [Ouspensky's or Gurdjieff's teachings] in helping her to deal with a difficult situation with Nehru. Seton concludes the letter with reflections on her friendship with Nehru and Indira.

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