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[Sent from Whittingehame, A. Balfour's house in Lothian]:- He and Nora were very busy up to the end of the previous year, until they escaped to Prestonkirk on New Year's Eve. They arrived in Cambridge on 26 December, on Thursday morning they were completing their arrangements for the Conference of Schoolmistresses on the following day, and their friends arrived that evening 'and educational talk began lasting without intermission till Friday evening...' On Saturday he began to prepare his answers for the Cambridge University Commissioners, and finished them on Monday morning, before his journey to Scotland.

Reports on the conference itself, which 'made up a compact and business-like meeting at the Townhall.' States that he was impressed with the schoolmistresses, who 'said what they had to say in a clear, short, practical way'. They 'fixed a limit of ten minutes for the speeches, but the only speaker who showed the least desire to exceed it was a Man..' Mentions that among the speeches made was one by Professor John Mayor. A short paragraph about the conference was sent to the newspapers, and got into the Times. Among those who came were James Wilson from Rugby with his sister Annie, who is head of a school at Grantham; Annie Marshall from Leeds, Professor Green from Oxford 'with his professorial honours fresh upon him', and Eve 'who used to be at Wellington College. States that Arthur was not able to come because Charlotte was not well enough to be left.

Reports that they have 'delightful weather' there in Prestonkirk, and that his brothers-in-law are all assembled. Claims that he has got the burden of his article pretty much off his mind. Describes the 'lovely winter view' from his window. Sends on Nora's love. Adds that they did not hear any political secrets at Hatfield, but reports that Myers, whom they had seen in London 'had seen Dizzy at Windsor Castle and reports that he bore a remarkably swaggering and triumphant aspect', and they are afraid that 'that Hebrew has been brewing some ill for his step-native land!'

[Sent from A. Balfour's house, Strathconan, Ross-shire]:- Explains that his last letter to her was written on their journey from Edinburgh. Refers to the 'charm of the scenery', and to the nearby hills, one of which they climbed a day or two previously. Reports that his brothers-in-law began to stalk deer on the previous Monday, and that they have killed four stags. States that they are 'now living almost entirely on the produce of the chase of various kinds'; is glad she likes the grouse sent to her. Reports that he has gone with Nora to visit two or three people 'in the "Strath", one of them a woman living in almost the only remaining specimen of the stone hovels that a generation ago were the ordinary houses [there]'. Remarks on the resemblance of the Highland people to Irishmen 'as [they] ordinarily imagine them, and refers to a woman whom they visited, 'who said "at all at all" just like an Irishwoman in fiction' but he 'did not detect in her household arrangements any of the recognised defects of the Irish character'. States that they have promised to stay there until the following Wednesday, and he thinks that they will then return to Cambridge. Reports that Nora sends her love, and expresses their concern that she has had some pain in her hand.

Thanks Myers for writing with regard to the accidental death of Francis Maitland Balfour. Reports that they know nothing yet, except that he was killed with his guide on the Glacier of Fresnay near Courmayeur. Reports that Gerald and Eustace have gone there. Announces that he is going to Cambridge the following day, and shall try to see Myers on Thursday. Undertakes to write again. Reports that 'Nora has borne the shock well', but predicts that 'the life of the family will never be the same again.'

Expresses his appreciation for Balfour's personal acknowledgment of the receipt of Marshall's Instinct and Reason. Regrets that he found no opportunity in its pages to express the obligation he felt he owed to him for the help obtained from Balfour's writings. Explains that he is an architect 'in very active practice', and claims that he has been influenced by Balfour's example to continue his work in psychology, even though it has involved 'much arduous labour and not a few sacrifices.' Hopes that Balfour will find the opportunity to read his book, and make criticisms on it. States that all Americans 'are just now rejoicing with all England that Kipling's life has been saved.' Declares that the latter introduced him some years previously to Balfour's brother Eustace. Adds that one of his pleasantest memories is connected with Balfour's sister, Nora Sidgwick, 'who entertained [him] most graciously when [he] was last in England.' Asks to be remembers to her and to Henry Sidgwick.