ABSTRACT
Jaeger began 1903 with a welcome change, a 'long promised' visit to Ivor Atkins at Worcester. In a tactful letter to Alice he complained of neuralgia of the eyes and went on to ask if he could include the visit to Elgar which he was so keen to make. He went to lunch on the first Sunday in January and took an afternoon walk with Elgar and Troyte Griffith, who found a room for the night for him near his own house at Lower Wyche as Craeg Lea was full. Jaeger returned there for breakfast next morning, and went on his way to College Yard; he was later able to assure Alice that the 'bright cold weather' had conquered the neuralgia. No doubt there had been opportunities to admire the new Encyclopaedia Britannica in its revolving bookcase, and, more importantly, to hear the music from The Apostles which Jaeger was so keen to get to know. There might have been a chance for him to express satisfaction that Alfred Littleton had agreed terms for its publication with George Johnstone, who was again negotiating on Elgar's behalf. This time there would be no repeat of the misunderstandings over Gerontius, and that month final agreement was reached on a figure of ¿500 on submission of the manuscript, a further £500 after the sale of 10,000 copies of the vocal score, and a 6d. royalty per copy on the sale of further vocal scores. It was Elgar's biggest financial return so far,1 and would enable him and Alice to begin to live the life they dreamed of.
