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The Shiffolds. - He and Bessie are 'so sorry' to hear that his mother is unwell and 'obliged to keep her bed'; hopes that the rest has 'already done her good' and that she will recover very soon. Thinks Bessie is writing to her. Thanks his father for sending him the letter from the Bursar [of Trinity, Cambridge ?]. Must be a 'great satisfaction to wear a scarlet gown. Even going into hall in a B.A.'s gown used to make one feel appreciably more grand and important'.

Bessie's niece [Emma], 'the daughter of her brother [Hermann who lives in Germany, a girl of just twenty', is visiting for a few weeks; she is 'a very nice girl, and it is a great pleasure for Bessie to have her here'. They are reading Jane Austen in the evening to 'improve her English'; they have finished Northanger Abbey and are starting Mansfield Park. They also 'read an act of Hamlet together in the morning'. They will probably go to London to meet Julian, who comes home from school on Thursday; he has 'been in bed with a chill for a day or two' but seems to be recovering, and to have had 'quite a good term'.

Will send back the Livingstone in a few days; finds it quite interesting. Sends love to his mother and to Aunt Annie; will write to his mother soon.

The Shiffolds. - Thanks his mother for her letter; they are very glad to hear that she is getting better from Aunt Annie. The 'mild weather' will make it easier for her when she starts getting out again. Julian is well, and 'finds plenty to do painting cards and almanacs, and building a theatre with his bricks'. He, Robert, and Emmy [Bessie's niece] are reading The Taming of the Shrew together. They are all going to London together for a few days after New Year; will take Julian to a dramatisation of [Thackeray's] The Rose and the Ring, which 'they say is very well done'. Very kind of his mother to say she will send a cheque towards the expenses of Julian's going to London, and they are 'very grateful'.

Bessie's niece Emmy has 'not yet had her letter from her young man at Hong Kong' [Frank van Leeuwen?], though it must arrive soon; she did however get a telegram with Christmas wishes yesterday, so she is 'quite happy'; the 'difficulty of communication is rather trying for her'. The Faggetters [a couple providing help in home and garden for the Trevelyans?] 'continue to be pleasant and effective'; this is a 'great relief for Bessie after the unspeakable Knights'.

Hopes his father has 'quite recovered from his cold'; sends love to him and to Aunt Annie.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Anxious to know how Emma [Elizabeth's niece] got home; fears she was caught by the storm on her crossing. Quite a lot of snow here, which is not thawing though there is not much frost. Hopes that Julian is all right and will be soon out of quarantine; has not had much news from him. Annie [Philips] is 'very energetic' and walks into Stratford every day. Thanks Elizabeth for sending a book through her, which Caroline is now reading. Asks if she has heard about Mary and young George's 'adventurous walk on the Yorkshire moors'; they thought they might have to sleep out but found a cottage to stay in the end. Is up again and taking walks in the mornings; dull for Annie, but they cannot even ask anyone to tea 'in this weather'. Will be very glad to see Elizabeth when it is convenient; asks when Robert goes abroad and whether he will get to Greece; he must come to see her before he goes. Sir George is mostly well, but staying indoors. Hopes Elizabeth's 'new couple [of live-in servants: the Faggetters] continue..' [letter missing its end]