Thanks Bessie for her 'kind and cheering note'. Cannot do justice to her feelings of trust in and gratitude towards Mollie Grierson, who has acted just as she would expect. The 'great cheap house in Royal Terrace in Edinburgh was the worst possible house for Donald', as she always knew; she wanted him to live opposite her in Professor Nieck's old house, but his first wife [Margaret Kerr Cameron] wanted to live 'more in the country'. Remembers how Grettie 'after a visit to London returned with the baby John [Wellcome Tovey] and two white rabbits', travelling through the night, without having taken 'a drop of milk for the baby'; she was a '[p]oor mad thing' but 'very honest and entirely honourable', and the news that after her suicide 'Minnie Wallace had written to Donald, then in California, and proposed to marry him' appalled Sophie Weisse. Bessie's note brought much more cheering news. Does wish the excellent Swedish nurse who is treating her own sciatica could treat Donald's hands. Thanks Bessie for returning the book, and now her mind is 'relieved of the fear of John's motoring plans [see 8/130]'; hopes ' a change of weather or John's having been called up will make them impossible'. Longs to see John but he has been at Hedenham all summer. Hopes in Donald's absence 'a nice little enemy bomb will fall on that evil little house'. Is sending Donald a few letters at a time to try and 'amuse and interest' Donald: some from Sir Hubert Parry to her, some from Sir George Grove, who 'describes himself as [her] "slave," when Donald was Sir Hubert's pupil'. Has 'some beautiful letters too from the Master of Balliol [Sir Edward Caird]' and his wife: there 'was never a student so much loved'; it may please Donald to read then. A postscript says she has heard Donald does not now have a secretary; the 'one who came here in pursuit of John was an evil little creature'.
Writes to express his regret on the news of Henry Sidgwick's resignation, and of the reason for such a move, of which he heard from Henry's brother. Remarks on how brave it was for Henry to come to [Oxford] to address them 'with all his old force and humour - with such a thing in prospect'. Is glad to hear from [Arthur] Sidgwick 'that he has borne the operation so well, and hopes that he may have 'many years of [ ] work and happiness before him.' Adds that his wife joins in sending sympathy.
Caird, Edward (1835-1908) Master of Balliol College Oxfordc/o Miss Cunliffe, Worplesdon St. Mary. - Hopes very much to come and see 'Julian and his Mamma' tomorrow, though is dependent on her friend in Worplesdon; will let Bessie know if she cannot come. Has a wooden goose boy which she has 'carried all round Germany for Julian and his "elders and worsers". Tells a 'vulgar joke culled from the German press' and says it is 'odd and pleasing' that the view of mothers-in-law it depends on has vanished from England. Is very sorry she cannot stay the night as she needs to carry on her lesson plans and then go to Oxford to see Mrs [Caroline Frances?] Caird and other friends.