It was in 1912 that I went to the Black Forest. An invitation came from Stephani asking if I would like to come and stay with them in Germany. It was of course a far great distance than going to Paris and it was suggested that I might stay six months or longer. I wrote that I would like to go very much and I soon had a reply telling me first to go to Paris where Edmund would meet me.

My mother lent me her long black cabin trunk which she had taken to India. It had ‘Bombay’ painted in white on the flap and it was called ‘The Bombay Trunk’.

I did not feel so gay and light-hearted as on my former visits. I did not like leaving my mother and I felt sure I would not be able to stay for such a long time. But it was Spring and Stephani had written that the Black Forest was looking its best so I was not to to delay. She enclosed in her letter ample fares and told me to go to Charing Cross and get French francs in exchange. My mother gave me two pounds and I still had a little money I had received for painting for an art shop.

I sent a card to Ethel and Dora to say I was off again and they thought me very lucky and adventurous. They came to the station at East Croydon to see me off on the 9.30 night train to Rouen and so forth.

My large trunk stood on the platform ready to go into the luggage van. There was a great bustle going on and people running to and fro and looking for seats as the train was rather crowded. Rugs and periodicals were tossed into carriages to keep those seats which had been reserved.

I got into the train and kept near the window so as to be able to talk to Ethel and Dora.

I wore a little coat and a plain boater hat and carried a white grebe feather hat - of the latest fashion - wrapped in a paper bag and ‘The Daily Telegraph’ to read. I also carried a grey coat - new and lined with scarlet silk. It was a lovely coat and I would not press it into the trunk. Nor would I press the hat made of feathers as it would have been crushed out of shape.

At last the train steamed off and goodbyes were thrown to and fro.

I was tired and I sat back to get a little rest. When we arrived at the harbour at Newhaven I suddenly wondered if my trunk had been put on the train. I sprang out of the carriage and ran to the luggage van. It was not there and, in my mind’s eye, I could see it still standing on East Croydon Station.

I did not know what to do and at once appealed to a porter and then a guard. There was little time as people were taking their places on the boat. The guard promised he would wire and get it sent along, so I calmed down, left the platform, got on the boat and took a cabin.

It was a very calm crossing and I slept.

At Rouen I enquired again but could get no information. Edmund met me and was very concerned as to my trunk and said we would have to wait in Paris until we could have some definite news about it.

It was only six in the morning when we arrived. I had put on my long grey coat and feather hat. Edmund asked if I would like to go to a hotel or go back to the Rue Boulard. I preferred the latter. I could see that he had covered everything in dust sheets. So he had intended to leave straight away to Frieburg.  

 We arranged to have lunch out and Edmund made some coffee saying that after I had drunk it I would feel better. I fell asleep almost directly and did not wake till nearly three in the afternoon. I crept down stairs. No one was there. Edmund had evidently gone into Paris - to the station again. Karl was away in Switzerland and Otto had gone to Dresden.

Edmund returned with no news of the lost trunk so we went out together and ran right into Monsieur Denise and we told him of the calamity. He joined us in the ‘Cafe De Paris’ and said that I could sleep in his spare room. Edmund could stay in the studio.

Edmund was glad as he was afraid it was going to be a little bit dull for his little English friend. When we got back to the studio he told me to get ready. I was worried about not having any baggage and he said that it was amongst thousands of other suitcases and we could not linger in Paris for news of it.. I would have to leave in the morning without it.

“I have no nightgown to go to Madame Denise”, I said, “and I have nothing but my feather hat and extra little jacket and my travelling cloak.”

He said he would have to go upstairs and try and find things of Stephani’s.

“I am in a bit of a plight.” I said, “I have only eight shillings left. I bought a present for Stephani’s child. Could I buy something with eight shillings?”

“Certainly not, “ he was angry and said, “You will certainly not spend anything for Stephani - she will be pleased to see you. I can get anything you want I will probably find things upstairs,”

So we both turned out a bureau discussing what we would require for the moment. Her slippers were too small, so we hurried off to the market and he found me a nice pair of red kid shoes which he liked very much and fitted me. He paid and I was delighted with them.

We passed the fair where wooden animals were rushing round and round to absurd music. It reminded me of the other times we had all been together - so gay with all the other artists and their models. Edmund said, “Would you like to go on the ostrich?”

“Yes,” I laughed and said it would be fun.

The music stopped for just three minutes and everyone was springing up on those great wooden birds. We were up beside each other. The music began again and as I went up Edmund went down. Bouncing up and down - jolly and happy like girls and boys.

People stared and had a laugh at such frivolity.

We went and had some wine - a little Vermouth - then he said we had better be going. He leaned over and took my hand and a more elemental force drew us near together.

I sprang up with a laugh and took his arm.

Madame Denise was an exceedingly kind hostess. The four of us dined on a verandah which looked over Montparnasse after which she played Grieg and Debussy. I had not brought my music so I was excused.

The sorrow of my lost Bombay trunk was ever at the back of my mind. We returned early to bed as the journey would be as fairly long one. The next day we set off for the Black Forest.