Piper's Plot, Lockeridge, Marlborough. - Complains about the weather and his companions; wishes he could have stayed with the Trevelyans, instead of heeding the calls of 'duty and friendship'. Does feel friendship for Mrs Eckhard, though she tries her family: compares a comment by Mrs Pearsall Smith. Enjoyed his time with the Trevelyans. Goes to Northumberland on Tuesday; thinks his sister May is recovering a little.
Poggio Gherardo, Via Settignanese, Firenze. - Discusses Trevelyan's corrections for her book ["Florentine Villas"] which will not be published till April as 'Miss [Nelly] Erichsen is behindhand with her drawings'. Will be 'very pleasant' to see Trevelyan and make his wife's acquaintance. Afraid he will find Mr Ross 'very much altered and aged'. [Bernard] Berenson is staying with them as the Frullino is let; today Mrs Costelloe [Mary, later Berenson's wife], her mother, brother and two children went to the new villa [I Tatti], which is 'delightful'. Berenson will stay with the Rosses until the marriage on about 16 December. Lina is then probably going to Rome, or to visit the Curries; she was going to go to Egypt, but now does not want to leave her uncle in his illness for so long. Sends love to 'my Poet ([George]Meredith)' when Trevelyan next sees him; he is 'delightful company, when there is not a large audience', though 'apt to pose' when he has one. Feels guilty for taking up so much of Trevelyan's time [with corrections]; is very grateful and wishes she could do something in return.