Statement Drawn Up By Leah Hirsig

Feb. 12, 1923. e.v.

On Saturday. Feb. 10, I returned from marketing in Cefalù at about 11 a.m. I found the Knight Guardian of the Sacred Lance [K.G.S.L.] [Aleister Crowley]; Betty Loveday [Betty May]; Frater AUD [Raoul Loveday], her husband, and Soror Estai [Jane Wolfe] assembled on the court. The conversation seemed most animated; and I soon found that it had been brought about by Betty's complaint against Ninette Fraux [Ninette Shumway]. The nature of the complaint was that Ninette was slovenly in her ways and that she, Betty, could not work with her. The K.G.S.L. sides almost entirely with Betty, whereas I, knowing conditions from a more intimate point of view, took exception to some things and agreed to others. Soror Estai, as always, took an absolutely fair view of the case, siding with no one. Frater AUD, being too ill, said little, so little that I do not remember what.

Ninette was not present as her duties in the kitchen prevented. These duties she had resumed for several days previous to Feb. 10, in place of Betty, who had been more or less ill for some time.

We however, agreed to put the Abbey [Abbey of Thelema] on a basis of discipline and order, which had lagged owing to the illness of all the members at one time or another.

Peace reigned.

On Sunday, (Feb. 11) morning the newspapers sent to Frater AUD arrived. One of the rules of the Abbey is that no newspapers are allowed. They distract from the Work. The K.G.S.L. had mentioned a few days previously that that was a rule. The subject was discussed and Betty and Frater AUD agreed that as it was a rule they would abide by it. (In admission to the Abbey each member signs a promise to this effect). The K.G.S.L. then left the matter open for consideration. Betty definitely promised that she would not read them.

The papers were asked for by me on their arrival. Frater AUD reminded the K.G.S.L. that he had left the question open, Betty however, said she was going to read them.

The decision was then given that the original rule would be enforced.

A scene followed in which Betty was rude, insolent, and thoroughly unfit to be in a room where her sick husband lay. Betty was for some years, 8 years ago, an addict to cocaine but cured herself by her own force of will after official treatment failed completely.

The verdict was given that if the papers were read she would have to leave the Abbey in the afternoon. She said she would do so. (Discussing this later with the K.G.S.L. said that if necessary he would find the money to send her to London.)

By 6 p.m. she had not left but she had read the papers. The K.G.S.L. asked me to ask her to speak to him. She again refused. He then went to the room and spoke to her. Suddenly I heard the smashing of glass and knocking about of chairs etc. She had suddenly started to scream and swear, and to throw jugs etc. at the K.G.S.L., who was asking her to discuss the situation quietly with him and the rest, outside the sick room. There was a lighted oil lamp in the room, also an oil stove. I then went into the room and found Betty kicking the K.G.S.L. who was holding her, she being in violent hysterics. Frater AUD had got out of his bed, scarcely able to stand. There were bottles and a glass on the bed—they were smashed. I tried to keep him away from these; she rushed to him and after about 10 minutes we got him out of the room into a warm, quiet one.

She, in the meantime, made preparations to leave. Soror Estai, by order of the K.G.S.L. stayed in the room with her, talked kindly, sensibly and calmly to her, but Betty insisted on leaving, much to the distress of her husband.

Her parting words were "Goodbye Raoul, send down my passport to-morrow". We knew that she would go to the Hotel; but her husband was worried that she might do something desperate, sleep out and probably get pneumonia.

Soror Estai saw Betty at the hotel this morning (Monday Feb. 12). She threatened to telegraph her father-in-law to see the Commissario of Cefalù, and to go to the British Consul in Palermo.

Later (11 a.m.) I took down a letter from her husband begging her to return. This is correct as far as my personal knowledge is concerned.

Alastor de Kerval. Knight Guardian of the Silver Lance.

Alostrael [Leah Hirsig]—31-666-31.

Ninette Fraux.

Betty Loveday.

Estai 516.

(Frater AUD was too ill to be bothered for his signature, but he read this in the presence of Betty and myself on her return to the Abbey sometime after noon of the same day. The conditions for her return were the signature of this and a letter to the British Consul as per enclosed. Alostrael)

[112]