Paris 4 Sept. 1939
61 rue de Clichy
Hotel de Palme

Dear Family: 

There’s a terrific thunder storm at the moment and as Virginia is asleep on my bed, and Slava is in his or one of the boys’ rooms, I thought it would be a peaceful time to write. Well the war has started, nobody thought it would altho they were all prepared in case. We would have been home before this but the Direction never realized that there really would be one [war], so now they are doing their best for us. We have all reported at our consuls; mine is not much good I’m afraid, cause they would only send me as far as London and really I’m just as safe here as in London, but I’m also going to see if the American Consul could take me back if necessary but I believe the company will take all the Americans and Canadians out first and the rest of the co. that can cause most of the boys will be joining the army. S [Slava] goes at the end of Sept or the beginning of Oct Hurok says, so that we will have our Ballet Season in New York. It was a bit terrible about the London season when you think that all the seats were sold out for the two weeks.

I’m afraid you’re going to get quite a shock when you receive my cable for $200 but it was a bit of a difficulty they won’t send Slava any money unless they have his bank book, so as he can’t cable his bank book and it would take too long to send it by post. I’m glad there is a thunder storm. I only hope it lasts all night, altho it puts one’s nerves on edge a bit.

About the money – I shan’t use it unless I have to, and why I sent for that amount, it’s because I may have to live in house until I could get about.

I can’t see to write anymore as it’s a bit dark, we keep our lights off as long as possible cause as soon as they go on we close our shutters and then it gets a bit stuffy.

Cheerio for now and be seeing you in October.

All my love,
Nesta