Showing 43 results

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Hopes Elizabeth's search for a nurse goes well; recommends the "Morning Post" for advertisements. They have had a good time with George, Janet, and the children, who have been 'very much better' behaved. Asks if Elizabeth would like an Otterburn Tweed for a coat and skirt; originally enclosing samples of patterns for her to choose from. Gussie [Enticknap] 'looks very cheerful' and will go to Mrs Davidson's [lodgings for the gardeners] soon; Keith says 'he wands a good deal of looking after & "knows nothing of work"'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Elizabeth for her long letter: 'the old ladies' must have been very funny. Hopes she found Julian well. Margaret and Reggie Smith are staying on their way north; he seems sensible and is going to travel to India and so on before 'settling down at the Bank'; Margaret 'has wonderful masses of red hair' which she wears in a strange style [a sketch illustrates this]. Hopes the weather will be good so they can have a picnic; Elizabeth and Robert were not fortunate with the weather for their visit, she loved seeing them and is glad they enjoyed themselves. Likes Robert's poem very much and so does Charlie. [Charles and Mary's] children came on Sunday, with 'little Steven Runciman'; Nora [Trevelyan?] has arrived 'so the Cambo "season" has commenced'. Hears there will be about six hundred people on the 'Liberal Excursion'; hopes they have good weather. Pantlin has gone with her cousin to the seaside. Mrs [Nora] Sidgwick is visiting next week. Hopes Mr Enticknap's journey home went well; she sees Gussie at work [in the gardens] 'looking busy and happy'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Happy they will see Elizabeth soon; Rounton [Grange, the home of the Bells] will be a good place to break the journey. Annie [Philips] will enjoy Elizabeth's visit. A pleasure to look at Julian's photograph and think that he is now so well; glad Nurse Catt is recovered. Enticknap is to bring Gussie up on 28 July, and will stay in the house while Gussie goes into lodgings; Keith will arrange it when he returns from a week away. The 'young men at the Portico' buy their own food and pay Mrs Davidson to cook and housekeep for them. The 'W.S. [Women's Suffrage] debate was very interesting, but not very satisfactory... it seems rather an "impasse". Postscript saying it is very kind of Elizabeth to offer to play at the part; asks if they can talk it over when she comes.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Sorry that Julian is not gaining weight; he may do better with the 'non-peptonized milk'. Glad that Elizabeth is going away for a while, though understands she cannot go far from home. Robert is having marvellous weather. She is quite well now, and happy to be 'very quiet'; Mary's children are coming around 20 July; she joins them on the 25th and they go to Cambo a few days later. Sends a jacket for Julian and will make a larger one for autumn if Elizabeth tells her the size. Glad Mrs Catt is improving. There is much rebuilding going on at the Portico, to give 'the young men [gardeners?]' a sitting and bed room and Mrs Davidson a back kitchen, plus 'better sanitary arrangements, which will not be finished for some time; Gussie [Enticknap] can therefore not be taken on for a while. The W.L.F. [Women's Liberal Federation] went well on the whole; Mary 'thought Lady C. [the Countess of Carlisle?] lost her temper too much' but 'the northern delegates were delighted with her'. Sir George is 'no worse for his expedition & was glad he went'; at least a hundred and fifty PCs were sworn in.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Robert is glad Aunt Maria is 'on the whole better' and hopes she will continue to improve; Bessie much enjoyed getting her letter. Expects Tuttie [Hubrecht] will be with her soon., but it is 'very sad about the Grandmonts', and they hope all will soon turn out well. They have just had their first guest: Robert's Aunt Annie [Philips] who 'gave Bessie the broach [sic]', his mother's sister. She came for lunch and tea; Bessie was 'very busy' in the morning making things nice as Aunt Annie is a 'very skilful connoisseur in housekeeping'. Now Bessie is sewing rings onto the curtains for the dining room; Robert breaks off to go and look at them, and reports they look 'even better than expected...' though the seamstress has made them two inches too short. Wishes Aunt Maria could see their house; will soon send photographs of the exterior and two sitting rooms, but this will not give her a real idea; she will however see the Enticknaps and their son Gussie. Is about to put some weedkiller on the lawn, though this is an unending task. Their French roses are 'still blooming' and have been very successful. There are now frosts at night, though the weather is still 'beautiful'. Has recently been reading, with the help of translations, the old Provençal poets; some are much more beautiful than he expected, and he understands now why Dante so admired and was influenced by them; however many of the Troubadours are 'very dull and conventional'. He and Bessie read some of Dante's "Paradiso" together most mornings; they like it very much and persevere even though it is 'very difficult'. They both send best wishes to her and Uncle [Paul Hubrecht], whom he hopes is keeping well.

Bessie adds a postscript in Dutch at the bottom of the last page which she continues above Robert's writing on the first page; asks about Tuttie, describes getting the house ready for Aunt Annie. Asks about a name, 'Lucy Bane?', which she could not read. She forgot Johannes [Röntgen?]'s birthday; Aunt Maria 'thinks much more intensely about other people, just like Grandmother did'.

Roundhurst. - Roger [Fry] is leaving for London towards the end of the month; asks if he himself can stay on for a while and ask a friend [name illegible] to join him, as he is fond of the place and of Augustus (though 'the poor child has got hooping-cough'). Roger 'keeps up', but collapses when he goes to town. No change in Helen's condition. Is getting on with his dialogues, and reading "Sidonia" [Meinhold's "Sidonia von Borke: die Klosterhexe" or "Sidonia the Sorceress"] and wonders why Trevelyan thinks so much of it. Visited the Tennysons recently; remarks on what a 'fat lethargic domestic chief' [Hallam Tennyson] is. 'Kittie' Bathurst is there: asks if Trevelyan knows her. Dickinson and Lord Tennyson played cricket against the boys and were well beaten. Asks to be remembered to Berenson. Has been seeing something of the 'Friday's Hill' people [the Pearsall Smiths].

Has returned [to Westcott], as the Frys thought it was not fine enough weather to go to Roundhurst; will therefore be here until Monday until he goes up [to London]. Bargman will begin his various jobs on the house after Robert has left; Robert is 'not sure about the door to keep out the sound' and wonders whether it should be left until Elizabeth is there. Has lived 'in complete piece lately in the little room' so does not know how much the noise [made by young Gussie Enticknap] is 'a real nuisance'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad Elizabeth enjoyed Mary's visit: she 'seems to spread cheerfulness round her'. Fears the wait [until Elizabeth's baby is born] may go on for a while. Sir George is slow to recover; he can amuse himself now 'with his puzzle', which 'is a blessed invention'. Very fortunate that Booa [Mary Prestwich] has kept well. Asks what Elizabeth thinks of Mary's music lectures, and wonders 'how much the Cambo people understood of them'. Glad Madame Grandmont [Bramine Hubrecht] is in England. Has written to [Edward?] Keith about Gussie [Enticknap] but not yet received a reply; supposes 'he is seeing what he can arrange'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Hopes Elizabeth has a good Christmas day with her baby; she should 'feel it a duty to be quite idle'. Sir George is recovering; will take him for a walk this morning; was 'a feverish cold... like something caught in a London fog'. They have had many congratulations on the birth of Paul. Sure Gussie [Enticknap] 'would be astonished to see another baby quite suddenly appear'. She and Sir George are having lunch early, so the servants will be able 'to sit over their dinners' and 'have dessert & crackers &c' and have fun. Thanks Robert for writing twice, though his letters arrived together; the post is 'most erratic' and the postman needs a cart and horse as there are so many parcels. Has started the year's accounts. Sir George was amused by the muisjes [see 10/69]. Asks whether Jan [Hubrecht?] has been to see Paul yet.

10 Prinsegracht, Hague'; addressed to Bob at The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking, Surrey. - Thinks Bob's arrangements about the piano 'quite perfect & quite the nicest we could have' and trusts the 'professional friend' to choose the upright one. Would like to write and thank Bob's aunt [Margaret Price] for her present, so asks for her address. Thanks Bob for sending the table measurements, as well as the lock of his hair, which she will keep in his "Pilgrim's Progress". Describes a dream she had about him, and another about Dr [Empedocle?] Gaglio - probably as Bramine [Hubrecht] had mentioned him in a letter. Sorry that Sanger is still unwell and the likely cause [love]; he is 'the last person who ought to be treated like that'; asks if 'the lady in question is Miss D. P. [Dorothea Pease]'.

Confesses Bob's jokes about regretting not being able to go to Greece with his friends any more made her cry; she has often been anxious that he will lose a great deal of freedom when he marries; surely he will be able to talk as freely with his friends after they marry; she would like to go to Greece with him. Glad Bargman gave good advice [about the house]; hopes 'dear little Gussie [Enticknap]' will not make too much noise. Her uncle's lawyer has not yet heard from the 'Paris oracle Mr Barclay' about the marriage. The Grandmonts likely to be there; so now thinks they should fix the wedding for Whit week and will write to Bob's mother if her agrees; asks if he has a preference about the day; suggests not Wednesday as then 'all the servants are married together & there usually is a great rush'. Interrupted by a visit from her friend Anna de Ravity [?], with whom she had a good talk; Anna 'talked most sensibly about the [Second Boer] war' and is 'disgusted' by the general wild anti-British sentiment here. Is going to see her sister Marie in Rotterdam tomorrow. Tells Bob not to leave his books and manuscripts around, or 'the wood nymphs' might steal them; would write a poem on the subject if she could; wishes they lived in the time of the "Arabian Nights" so she could use a magic carpet or flying trunk to come to see him.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth enjoyed the visit to Chillingham, and that Mrs Cochrane plays well; seems to remember she is a 'better musician than Mrs Saxton Noble'. Hopes that the three weeks in the north have done her good. A 'big gathering of Liberal women' here yesterday, with a meeting then tea 'in the tent'. The shooting on Thursday was spoiled by a wet afternoon; Sir George has rheumatism in his hand. Janet 'very funny about the forgotten photograph'; she is 'a dear affectionate little person'. Keen to hear that 'the house business is prospering' and that the building of Robert and Elizabeth's house can start soon. Misses Elizabeth very much; was so nice seeing and 'nursing' her. Wants to hear about her trip to Holland, and what she decides about the violin.; also how the Enticknaps were. [John Joseph?] Nixon was 'much distressed' to miss Elizabeth and Robert. They have not yet finished [James's] "The Tragic Muse" as there has been little time for 'long reading'; has quite forgotten it and is interested to hear how it ends. Alone now till 21 September; Charlie leaves on Monday.

The Mill House, Wescott, Dorking. - Left London feeling, for various reasons, a 'most miserable creature'; describes his journey down and his arrival at Wescott. Mrs Entiknap [Enticknap] welcomed him warmly, Dan [his dog?] rushed into the house and was greeted by Gussie in the kitchen. Apologises for the jam which he has got onto the paper. Likes being surrounded by Bob's books, which will be a temptation when he should be reviewing others. Attended a 'conversational Fr. Trade caucus' last night at Sussex Villas; he has been given the task of reporting on the Free Trade campaign on the American continent, which means reading 'Yankee magazines' and writing to 'goodnatured enthusiasts'. If he joins the Trevelyans at Valeseux [sic] he will have to get a stand-in.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Expects that Elizabeth has returned home and that the weather is 'cooler & pleasanter'; it was fine yesterday for the school treat. Sir George has been out fishing twice, which is very good for him. Does not think there will be fine weather in the North for some time, so perhaps Robert will not stay so long; thinks September will be better than August this year and is glad Elizabeth is coming then. They are alone at the moment, but expect Mr Milnes Gaskell and his daughter on Tuesday. Hopes Janet [Ward] will be able to visit Elizabeth; she and George have taken a house in Chelsea and are very happy; their prolonged engagement obviously suits them. Is reading [Elliot's] "Daniel Deronda"; thinks it is 'much too long, and rather tedious', though some minor episodes such as Klesmer's 'talk about art' are very good; also has 'the last new Vol. of Le Gorce [?]' and the newspapers; Sir George is reading Meredith's "Egoist" aloud, which she thinks better every time she reads it. Hopes the negotiations [about the land and house at Leith Hill] are going well; asks whether Elizabeth and Robert intend to build themselves, or whether the V[aughan] W[illiamses] will build and let it to them. Sad that Aunt Margaret [Holland] is laid up for so long and unable to write. Asks how 'the little maid' is getting on, and Gussy [Enticknap]'s violin lessons.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Note to say that the figs were not sent after all; Booa [Mary Prestwich] discovered they would not stand the journey and forgot to tell her; hopes Elizabeth is not too disappointed. Booa is going to send a cream cheese. The weather is much cooler; C[harles] and G[eorge] cycled to Hallington yesterday and thought it very pretty, and nicely kept especially as Florence [Trevelyan] has not been there for eighteen years. Hope they found all well at the Mill House; sure Mrs E[nticknap] will be glad to have them home; expects Gussie has 'grown an inch at least'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Very sorry to hear the news about Elizabeth's uncle; hopes this new anxiety will not last long; reassures her about the success of modern operations. Sorry the boy [Augustus Enticknap] has measles; it is 'a light illness at this time of year'. Elizabeth must be careful about infections, and 'not let other people be exposed to it without their knowledge': the Frys should not come to the house while 'Mrs E. is going about her work freely'. Asks when Elizabeth will come up; thought the dress 'very pretty'; Pantlin should be ready for another fitting at the end of the month. A postscript tells her to ask Robert whether he 'remembers giving the measles to Arnold's boys'

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Glad the long journey went well; is sure Elizabeth's uncle and Marie are glad to have her and Robert with them for a while; hopes they will 'leave them in better spirits'. Understands how sad it must be to find her aunt's place empty. They are glad to be back; Sir George is eager to return to work and starts tomorrow; she is 'in a confusion of letters, accounts, intervoews, & general arrangeing [sic]'. Charles and George are leaving tomorrow, 'to the West of England, & to the Appenines to walk'. If Robert 'goes off', Elizabeth must come and spend the day with Caroline; they can put her up for the night if she wants. Hopes she will find the Enticknaps and the house all right. Elizabeth and Robert have missed the census, which she and Sir George 'just came in for'.

The Shiffolds. - Bessie is doing quite well; Nurse Shepherd is here now instead of Nurse Godwin, and Nurse Fry leaves today. Bramine Grandmont has just come; George and Janet are visiting for the day tomorrow. Has already told her that the Enticknaps will probably leave soon, and so they are looking for replacements; they have heard of a promising-sounding couple but fear they will already have a place, still, they are enquiring about them.

He and Bessie had hoped 'the Vaughan William[s]es of Leith Hill Place' would have let the Enticknaps have one of their cottages, so that Enticknap could stay on as their gardener; they could then have employed a cook, and Gussie could have 'got carpentering work in Forest Green, and been under his parents' eye'. However, since the Vaughan Williamses do not want to let the cottage permanently, this seems impossible; there are 'no other cottages near enough'. It is a 'comfort' that the Enticknaps are 'friendly and considerate', though no doubt have a grievance against Keith [head gardener at Wallington]; this cannot be helped, as 'they can't be told the whole truth [about why Gussie was dismissed]. Fears it will be 'very difficult' to find a married couple who fulfil all conditions, but they may be lucky. The Enticknaps would not insist on leaving immediately, so they can 'make a shift for the next month or two'. Robert and Bessie think Mrs Enticknap is 'perfectly right in wanting to leave', since the work is 'very trying for her, and her health is not very good'; she would do well with a 'quieter life', and would 'look after May and Gussie better'. They are 'most sorry to lose' Enticknap: he 'has his faults, but is 'in many ways quite invaluable'.

Julian is very well. Hopes his parents will 'keep well in London'.

The Shiffolds. - Bessie is 'going on very well'; Dr C[ornish] came today and 'seemed quite satisfied'. Molly should be here in about an hour. Nurse Godwin is leaving tomorrow, and Nurse Shepherd arriving.

Asks her to thank his father for his letter [12/189] and the enclosure, the 'old Harrovian's letter'. Bessie has met him: he called here a 'year or two ago' when Robert was out, and had his book with him. Bessie says he was 'a rather mild seedy-looking sort of man, probably a little mad, though excitable'; his letters seem to Robert 'quite mad'. Bessie wishes she had looked at the book more carefully, but it 'seemed to be poor stuff'. Robert thinks the 'poor wretch was probably tramping the country', visiting the Old Harrovians whose addresses he could find 'to try and make them buy a copy'; he sent a letter to them afterwards which was similar to the one to Robert's father, and 'seemed quite mad'. Will write soon to his father and return the enclosure. The old Harrovian was 'much older' than Robert, and 'certainly not at the Grove in Bowen's time'.

The Enticknaps have generally taken things [the dismissal of their son Gussie from the gardens at Wallington] 'more sensibly' than Robert expected. They are angry with Keith, which 'cannot be helped, as they cannot be told the real reasons [for Gussie's dismissal] so naturally they thought he should have written earlier to warn them'. They are though 'anxious to do the right thing with Gussie now; Robert and Bessie think they are right in 'wanting to apprentice him as a carpenter, or possibly a smith, and having him to live with them'. The Enticknaps see that this would mean leaving the Shiffolds and are ready to do this; Robert thinks they are 'right on the whole', and they have been 'perfectly nice' about it. It will of course be difficult to replace them, but with luck Robert and Bessie may be able to find a childless married couple. Meanwhile, perhaps a cottage could be found for the Enticknaps nearby, so that Enticknap could come for the day. In some ways Robert and Bessie are sorry to lose the Enticknaps, as they had 'great merits' and 'in important things were thoroughly trustworthy', but they also sometimes gave them 'a good deal of trouble', and in the long term their leaving is probably for the best. Since the change cannot take place at once, Gussie will need to be here for a while, but Robert thinks he will 'be on his best behaviour'. Bessie has talked everything over with Mrs Enticknap and is not at all worried. They have had a 'reference about a married couple', but expect they will have found a place by now'.

The Shiffolds. - Bessie is 'going on very well'; the doctor came today and was pleased, he will not come again until Thursday. [Edward] Keith's letters to Robert and the Enticknaps came this morning; Mrs Enticknap has 'on the whole taken [Keith's dismissal of her son Gussy as a gardener's boy at Wallington] sensibly, and is not making a grievance of it'. She is 'Of course... slow and rather stupid in not seeing how unsatisfactory Gussy is', but that was to be expected as she 'cannot be told the full truth'; however, she does 'to some extent recognise his weaknesses', and is willing to try to find 'the right kind of employment for him'; it might be best for him to go into the Navy, or a trade such as 'carpentering or a blacksmith's'. She is 'perfectly nice about it' towards Robert and Bessie, and seems to accept that Gussy had to be given notice. Robert thinks Keith 'has behaved very considerately and wisely'; will write to him about it.

Will write tomorrow; will finish his father's book tonight, so may write to him instead of his mother.

The Shiffolds. - Bessie has had 'another quite good night' and is getting on 'quite well'. Mrs Grandmont is coming next Saturday; Molly may come for a night before that. Dr C[ornish] says that 'as far as he can see the kidney trouble is quite at an end', but will 'keep analysing etc to see if he can detect anything wrong'; however, he thinks it was 'solely due to pregnancy' and has not yet revealed any further weakness.

Thanks his mother for sending him Keith's letter; thinks he has 'behaved very wisely', and neither he nor Bessie has any doubt that 'his suspicions [of Gussie Enticknap] are correct'. Is sure he will 'write tactfully to the Enticknaps'; his mother will see that he and Bessie cannot speak to them of the matter until they have heard from Keith. Expects Keith will give 'general unsatisfactoriness and untrustworthiness' as his reasons for dismissal, and they will 'have to accept that'. Bessie tends to think they will be 'sensible' and feel that Keith had ' very good reasons, which he cannot fully share with them'. They will certainly look out for work for him at once; until it is found he will have to stay here, but 'they are the last people to wish him to remain idle. They are unwise in some things, but not in that way'. Perhaps Gussie could 'go into the navy, where he would be under discipline'.

Bessie sends her love; she is 'longing to write', but thinks she should put this off for a few more days. Robert will write next tomorrow afternoon, not in the morning. Adds a postscript sending thanks to his father for his book, which has arrived; will 'write directly'.

The Shiffolds. -- Bessie seems to be doing well still; the doctor is not visiting today, so he may not write this afternoon. Aunt Annie is coming to lunch, and perhaps George. Is 'very sorry to hear about [Gussie] Enticknap': has written to Keith [the head gardener at Wallington] asking him to 'write at once, if he has not done so already, to tell the Enticknaps the reason for giving [their son Gussie] notice', and also to write to Robert himself. Of course his parents should hear directly from Keith, and Robert can say nothing to them until then, especially as he does not know what Gussie has done. [Alfred] Enticknap will doubtless try to find his son work somewhere else as soon as he can, though he will have to stay here until then. Hopes very much he will 'turn over a new leaf'. Nurse Godwin and Robert thought it 'best to tell Bessie, since she is getting on so well' and would soon have to hear about it anyway; she 'says she will not worry about it.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his parents for their letters; will write to his father soon, but today is 'really writing... for Bessie, who is very busy': she has to look after Julian 'a good deal now', since the nurse has had a 'bad cold, and is rather upset'; it is not 'the same thing as last time' and they hope not as bad, but she is 'not at all well, and it is very discouraging'. The doctor has seen her and will come again in a few days. Bessie takes Julian out in the pram, as the nurse is 'really not well enough to go out in this damp weather'; they may have to 'think seriously whether she will be able to go on through the winter', but that is not an immediate concern. The nurse is 'quite nice about it herself, and tries not to be depressed' though Robert fears she is not successful. Luckily Julian is 'very well'. Sure Bessie will write herself soon.

They read his father and Charles' speeches 'in a paper Gussie sent to his mother [Gussie Enticknap, son of Robert and Bessie's housekeeper, currently working as a gardener's boy for Sir George and Caroline at Wallington]. They seemed very good'. [Donald] Tovey came last Monday; he has been 'rather unwell', so has not yet done much work, but seems to be 'getting under way now'. His 'fellow composer' Ralph Vaughan Williams is coming over from Leith Hill Place this evening'.

Has a better ending for his short poem, which she can add if she likes: gives three lines to read ('I shiver in the chilling wind: the clouds whiten...') instead of the last two she has; it may not be quite right yet, but thinks this is an improvement.

Roundhurst, Haslemere. - Has seen Dr Chambers: he thinks that Helen is much the same, though Helen's sister Mildred considers that she is much brighter. Is not going to see her yet; waiting is 'slow and weary work'. He and Goldie Dickinson are enjoying Roundhurst very much: Mrs Entiknapp [Enticknap] is very good to them and Augustus approves of them. Is going on with his illustrations though Macmillan's plan for an illustrated M. Arnold is not good for his prospects. Hopes Trevelyan will have a good time with B. [Berenson?]: must not let him criticise too much. Will probably go to London for good soon as he has a lot of lecture work to do, though he is far less unhappy in the country.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Mrs Walter Rea for thinking of the puzzle, and Elizabeth for sending it; it is the most difficult he has ever done and he has 'had to take a holiday even to set it going'; will let her know how he gets on. This morning in the portico, saw a little girl 'in a sort of ecstasy of happiness' singing and talking to a kitten; Caroline says it must have been May Enticknap; glad they [the Enticknaps] are here and 'so agreeably lodged'. They are looking forward to Elizabeth and Robert's visit, and eager to see Julian. Is finding it 'a very attractive way of doing one's politics' to read the letters in the "Times" at Wallington; supposes everything will be over by Friday; the 'unexpected has played a great part, as it always does in a revolution'.

8 Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Had a good journey, and it was nice to travel with Robert, who sat with them before his dinner. Hopes Elizabeth was no worse for Caroline's visit; felt she was very tired when she left; she must not expect to get strong at once after such a long illness. Sir George likes the idea of Elizabeth coming to Welcombe to get some real rest, and then go to the sea a few weeks later. Has been to Nicoll's this morning and 'seen the shops boarded up after the onslaught of the Suffragettes'; thinks their actions 'really terrible' and '[p]laying into the hands of the enemy'; the coal dispute is also 'very disappointing & anxious'. Sir George is 'excessively gloomy' but has not mentioned leaving London again. Was glad the motor came to the door as it gave Julian such pleasure. Good to see Mrs Grammont [Bramine Grandmont Hubrecht]; hopes she will soon be better. Did not see 'any use in talking to the Ent[ickna]ps yesterday' but if Elizabeth agrees would like to send a message saying she is sorry 'the arrangement about Gussie had to terminate' and that she hopes he will do better elsewhere; does not wish to be unfriendly to them. Annie [Philips] is coming to lunch and taking her to a concert at the Queen's Hall.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Good to see Elizabeth's handwriting again; sorry that her convalescence is so long but it is to be expected. Pleased to hear good things of Nurse Shepherd; very glad that Mrs Grammont [Bramine Grandmont Hubrecht] is there. Very sorry that the 'Enticknap crisis' has come about now, but it was impossible to prevent, and if action had not been taken 'there might have been a public scandal'. Hopes [Edward] Keith will recover but his injuries are serious, including a cracked skull and concussion. Mrs Keith has 'come out well'; writes to Caroline to say Davidson will see Gussie [Enticknap] off on Saturday. Will not go to London before Tuesday next week as Sir George is very alarmed by the strikes and 'pictures London starving & without warmth or light'; she feels more optimistic, but perhaps is 'too sanguine'. If they do not make the move to London for a while, she will definitely go up for a few days, including a visit to Elizabeth; she may bring Booa [Mary Prestwich], who would love to see Julian, and will 'have the motor, as Annie [Philips] had'. Sir George thanks Elizabeth for her message; he has been 'truly unhappy' about her.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Is sending a toy train for Julian's birthday. [Edward] Keith has had a bad accident on his bicycle and has concussion, which she is afraid is serious; will ask Nixon to pay G[ussie] Enticknap and give him his ticket; hopes he will go straight home. Good that this was decided before Keith's accident. Sir George is so alarmed about the strike that they might not go to London on Saturday but wait a while; was going to suggest visiting Elizabeth towards the end of the month but will let her know. Hopes she is doing well; sends regards to Madame Grammont [Bramine Grandmont Hubrecht].

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Hopes Madame Grammont [Bramine Grandmont Hubrecht] will arrive safely today. Mary writes that she thinks Elizabeth is getting on well; hopes she will be 'quite convalescent' by the time Caroline sees her. Approves of the changes to the household planned for the Shiffolds: the E[nticknaps] have 'been most useful & devoted' but the strain on all sides is now too great; wishes they had 'sent the young man [Gussie] to be a sailor' and fears they will not be able to 'control him'. Sir George enjoys the publication of his book, and 'the letters & reviews are a continual amusement'. Will send a toy for Julian's birthday.