Pièce 105 - Letter from Alice Gardner to Nora Sidgwick

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Thanks her for thinking of her and writing to her 'in these times'. Confirms that 'the Durham business' is over, but declares that she cannot help feeling sorry for the Dean for 'the lost chances.' States that she suggested putting out as a feeler a small anonymous prize, 'just to test the possible desire for historical studies at Durham', and says that the Dean likes the idea, but is doubtful. The list of history students [at Newnham?] for the following year looks hopeful; thinks that 'it will be nice if the Alice Hopkinson scholar takes Political Economy.' Was away for the previous Sunday and intends to go to her brother Ernest for the following weekend; will come back [to Cambridge] on the following Monday.

Expresses her sympathy with Nora and Henry; wishes Nora had been able to bring him to Cambridge. Is glad that they both can feel a little comfort in the grateful affection of the many whose lives they have made happier and better. As she looks back over the past she realises more and more what she personally owes to Henry; even before she came up to Cambridge twenty-two years previously, she had heard so much about him from her mother, and had read some of his writings. He set her to work when she came up, 'and listened patiently to [her] crude notions as to how [her] education should be carried on', and helped her throughout her career. Cannot think of her life as it would have been had she never known Nora or Henry. However dear Nora has been to them before, she will be dearer still after Henry's illness. Reports that she see Miss F[reund] 'pretty often', who is of course always thinking about Nora. Adds that the new treatment is exhausting, but may do her good.