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[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thanks his mother for her letter. His cold is 'nearly quite gone now', though he must still be careful for a while. Is 'so glad Charlie is well again', though he still seems to have a slight cold'. Robert's house was 'beaten by Stoggies [Stogdon's house?] yesterday at torpids 5-1'. does not think anyone cared much about it and they are 'all glad to get it over'. They beat the 'small houses' last week. A boy in his house called Castleman has just become 'school racquet player.'

Is sending his father 'some verses on the moon' which he wrote last week; they are 'not very good'. Mr Kempthorn[e], who teaches him composition, has asked him to do more and 'make the piece more complete', not because he did not do enough, but because Kempthorne knows Robert is interested; his advice is to model the verses on Lucretius.

Thinks he will soon need some more money, but that '1 pound will last till the end of the term'. They have been able to do a 'great deal of skating', and thinks they will be able to do more; has enjoyed himself a great deal, though he 'cannot do anything at all on the ice'.

[On headed notepaper for 8 Grosvenor Crescent, S.W.:]- Sanderson has decided that he can come on Thursday, so he will come up with Stogdon, Robert and Charlie, Sanderson said his father wanted Robert's father to write to him about it; Robert does not know if the fathers know each other. The address is "Kininvie House, Dufftown, N[orth] B[ritain.

They have just had 'about the most exciting house match ever played at Harrow', beating Stogdon's house, who are very good 'by one run' despite the fact that they only have Pope and Oppenheim 'with any reputation'. Harrison 'bowled exceedingly well, and got his cap'; Oppenheim made 38 and 40 runs and 'got his sixth-form coat'. Robert 'made 7 and 0, which was not very good'. His team had given up the game when suddenly five wickets fell for no runs, at 103, leaving Stogdon's 9 to make with the last wicket. Robert's house will now have to play a strong house, and 'will probably be beaten. Still, there is hope'.

Is getting on all right in trials. Is 'ready to agree about the new arrangement for seeing [E.P.?] Arnold', but wonders how they will go to Eastbourne; asks if that plan is now 'given up'; hopes his grandfather is 'quite well still'; wonders if she means that they will 'go there on Wednesday'. Now has to go for a three-hour 'stupid Greek Testament trial of which [he knows] nothing'.

[On headed notepaper for 8 Grosvenor Crescent, S.W.:]- Thanks his mother for her letter, which he received yesterday, and for the cod-liver oil. Did not 'come out well [placed in his form] this fortnight': was only eleventh. Had not had time to 'act up' to his father's advice in order to make any difference in last fortnight's place, but now all the prize exercises are done, he ought to 'make a distinct improvement'.

Mr Bowen spoke to Robert on Thursday night, and 'seemed as convinced of ever of [Robert's] dishonesty' [see 45/189], but Robert 'thought it best to agree with him' as advised. Bowen said he was very glad about Robert's success but 'thought his accusations more important'; he also stopped Robert's absit, and though Robert thought this unfair he said nothing 'for fear of making a quarrel'. Hopes that 'in time [Bowen] will find out he is wrong', and in the meantime Robert will follow his father's advice.

Went to tea with Mr Glazebrook yesterday. Has to choose his prize soon; has not decided yet, but will get 'some book that will be useful... now, such as the conquest of Mexicoe [sic], or something that [he] could read in the holidays'. Does not think he has much chance of the prose [prize], as he 'finished it rather in a hurry], but 'got the verse done all right'. Their house match started on Saturday; they are beating 'Stoggies [Stogdon's house], while Watson's are beating Bozzies.