Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Looking forward to re-assembling on 21 April, and hopes that they will see 'little Calverley' [at school]; they will do their 'best to understand him and help him and make him happy'. Is likely to be 'passing through town' during the holidays; will let her know the exact dates when they are confirmed, and will be 'most glad' to call at home 'or wherever it is most convenient for Mr Trevelyan'.
Is happy that, since Mr Trevelyan wrote to him, they have 'succeeded admirably' with one boy at Harrow the 'son of Mr Tomlin of 40 Sussex Gardens, Hyde Park", who 'took Lower Remove' when he went to Harrow last September, and by the end of the term was first; according to Dr Butler he beat 'two very able entrance scholars' to do so. Knows that Mr Trevelyan was keen to know that Wixenford really do their 'utmost to get a boy on to the best place that his powers might admit of, without over-pressuring him. Arnold's friend, and predecessor as head, Mr Powles, examined all the boys last term and 'gave a very good report of them'; trusts that the teaching at Wixenford will continue to improve. William Egerton, Mordaunt Lawson and Hugh Walford (6 Cromwell Gardens, Queen's Gate), all go to Harrow at the end of this term, but he regrets none of them can expect to be placed highly, as they are 'not even if our little first class here'. They hope one boy will 'take a high place at Eton after Easter', and that 'Mr Arthur Guest's son will pass well into the Britannia next term'.
Apologises for writing so much about his 'little people', but expects that the Trevelyans know some of them and will also be interested for the sake of their 'own little boy'. Encloses a paper with a list of the clothes and other things which boys usually bring, and one about Exeats [included, see 110/3].
Mrs Arnold sends her regards, and hopes that when summer comes Mrs Trevelyan will be able to visit Robert at school. Arnold adds a postscript thanking Mrs Trevelyan for her 'kind concern at our scarlatina trouble'; they have certainly had an 'anxious time', but all the invalids have returned and are doing well.
The enclosed printed letter headed 'EXEATS' is dated July 1881; it states that on the request of parents children may be permitted to leave school once per term, from 11.30 am on Saturday till 1.30 pm the following Monday, or from 11.20 on Wednesday till 1.30 the following day. Mr Arnold is keen that exits be kept to a minimum, as 'they have often a very unsettling effect on the boy', and may also introduce 'infectious illness' into the school.