Letter from James Ivory, New York, New York, to Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Delhi, India, 1967 February 13 : typescript signed.

Recounting how he opened Ruth's letter to Merchant, which arrived just after Merchant left for India, and how he is sending Merchant's suits after him on another flight, because their dry cleaner couldn't deliver them in time; expressing concern over news of Jhab's fainting; asking Ruth to comment on the script for "Vertical and Horizontal" when Merchant brings it to her, but to keep any negative criticisms for Ivory alone, so as not to upset Merchant; breaking news of the sale of "Shakespeare Wallah" to the BBC, and the coming disposition of the fee to pay back some of their debts in India; asking if she ever received his letter with some buttons enclosed; asking her to "impress on Ismail's mind the value of the Ustad film [later, "The Guru"]," which for some reason he is opposed to, and the "Shakespeare Wallah" sequel as well; pointing out, however, that they "should not expect ... that he [Merchant] spend his precious youth and energy and talent forever on things which give us pleasure, and which do not allow him to establish himself financially, get married, send his parents in style on Haj, buy nice clothes, entertain in style, and all those things which he wants and will enjoy so very much"; admitting that "my hope is that these Paramount films will satisfy his desire to be out in a larger world than Bobay [sic], make him some money, firmly establish him as an international producer, and then ... free him to work as and how he likes in India..."; imagining the scene as Merchant arrives home.