Welcombe, Stratford upon Avon. - Amused by Elizabeth's letter, and glad Robert is returning so soon. Both Lord Welby and Lord Davey are 'very good talkers', and Lady Davey is 'charming' so their visit has been very pleasant; she tells Caroline that there is a house to be let at Fernhurst called "Ropes"; just built, by a Miss Coats, who now thinks there is 'not enough view & is going to build another'. Lady Davey also says that Blackdown Cottage is very damp and has no foundations; Mrs Frederic Harrison [Ethel Harrison] was 'very ill there with Rheumatic gout' and two people died in the house while they lived there. Likes to think of Elizabeth and Robert both at home again, 'with the good Enticknaps'. S[idney?] Colvin is not coming; she is glad as the 'row in Stratford seems to be growing, & he is in it' while they wish to keep out of it. Was very good to have Elizabeth to visit them; Sir George sends his love, and 'much appreciated' the letter from Robert.
Brieg [Brig-Glis]. - The [Italian] lakes did not suit Sir George and his rheumatism was bad for a few days; they had good weather at Menaggio and Baveno; Friday was wet, but they went to Domodossola. Had a 'splendid' day yesterday driving over the Simplon [Pass]; they stop at Brig today then tomorrow go to Zermatt as the hotels at Saas Fee, where they had intended to go, are not yet open. Booa 'enjoyed herself immensely' yesterday, and is 'rejoicing' to be back in Switzerland. Hopes that Elizabeth and Robert will be able to show her the foundations [of their new house] if she comes to visit them. Will not be away later than 26 June. Good of Robert to look through the proofs of George's book ["England Under The Stuarts"]; looks forward to seeing his article soon. Odd to be away from letters and papers for a while. Asks if Elizabeth has had any music since Whitsun. Does not think the northern Italians sing much, but there was some 'pretty, gay, playing' in the evenings at Basseno. Has been sketching a little and feels idle. Would like to 'bring home' some of the Swiss cows which 'look so clean and clever', and come to drink in the fountain in the square twice a day. Elizabeth must tell Gussie [Enticknap] that if he were a Swiss boy he would have to mind the goats on the hillside and 'do all his school-going in the winter'. Asks if they have had any other visitors or 'gaieties'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Sorry that the journey to Rounton was 'so agitating'. Mary has written to say the wedding went well; Elizabeth's account is amusing. Expects she misses Julian, but they are glad to have him for a little longer at Wallington; he has been playing with his toys then was happy for Hearne [the butler] to carry him upstairs. Hopes Elizabeth and Robert have a good Christmas Day; asks to be remembered to the Enticknaps; hopes Gussie got home safely. Will be nice if Elizabeth comes to fetch Julian on Thursday. Sir George says there is a good review of Mrs [Janet] Ross in the "Nation"; she hopes Robert will lend her the book ["Lives of the early Medici as told in their correspondence"]
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Elizabeth's letter arrived by the evening post yesterday, as always. They are having a heatwave; sorry it was not better weather for Elizabeth's visit. Pleased to hear about the good beginning on [Elizabeth and Robert's new] house; tells her to be careful of the long walk there; she and Sir George went to Greenleighton yesterday with Booa [Mary Prestwich] and Cooper, taking tea, and she felt quite worn out. Has had a nice letter from Paul Hubrecht, who seems to have much enjoyed Northumberland and writes 'wonderfully good English'; criticises the British lack of facility with other languages. Originally enclosing a letter from Audrey [Trevelyan?] and one from 'young [Henry Graham?] Dakyns'; asks whether he is married. Sorry Miss [Lily] Noble's invitation came too late, and hopes Elizabeth can go another time; thanks her for sending it. A lady who called yesterday said there were good stone seats and garden ornaments at the Italian Exhibition in London; it closes on 1 October and the visitor was planning to get some right at the end when they would be sold off cheaply. Thought Elizabeth might like to see them, and she could let Caroline know if anything might suit them. Glad the Enticknaps are well. Hopes Elizabeth will find someone to go with her this winter; would be happier if she had a companion 'during R[obert]'s wanderings'; supposes Meg Booth would not do; Caroline does not know her well but she is 'quieter than Imogen'.
The Mill House. - Continues the explanation of his sonnet from the last letter [9/116]; after jokingly describing the poem as 'terse, weighty, thrilling, magnificent, Dante-Baudelaire-Rossetti lines', he confesses that he does not think much of it, and wishes they [the "Speaker"] had published the translations they have returned. Is getting on 'fairly well' with the new plan of his play. Has only seen the Frys once since Sunday; he is 'very busy'. Is going to see Sanger in London on Monday before he starts [for Greece]. [George?] Moore has invited to join him, MacCarthy and another on their 'wonted Easter exhibition', this year to the Lizard in Cornwall; has been the last two years and liked it, but will decide nearer the time. Suggests that she might use the library as her study while he keeps the little room; noise does travel from the kitchen, but a baize or felt door would improve matters, and the Enticknaps are 'very quiet people'. Gussie is at school all day; he has in the past been 'a little noisy' in the evening, but is improving. Sophie has asked what books he would like [as a wedding present], suggesting an edition of Thackeray, or Browning (which he has); Thackeray would be good but perhaps he prefers Meredith. Has a Goethe and Heine; has read some "Faust" and means to do more; gets on quite well with a translation and dictionary, but very slowly.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Will be very pleased if Elizabeth brings Julian for a visit. Is going to see Annie from 21- 24 July, though unluckily Charles can come for that weekend so she will miss him; Mary is staying on with the children to look after Sir George; when they leave Julian can have the nursery to himself; can arrange the time for Elizabeth's second visit later, when they hope to see Robert too. Thinks Elizabeth is lucky to get Nurse Withers: it is rare to get two good nurses in succession. [Charles and Mary's] children are well and have 'a very satisfactory governess'. Asks how much help Elizabeth's nurse will need; would need to get extra help to provide the waiting on which Mrs Catt had. The Davidsons only have one young man lodging with them besides Gussie at the moment, so Mrs Enticknap could stay there; Caroline would pay.
Roundhurst, Haslemere. - Little news: Helen is more or less the same, though he thinks her sisters' visits help and her brother is going to see her soon, and this stage might go on for some time. He and Goldie [Dickinson] are enjoying Roundhurst, though he has been up at the British Museum all the week. Saw Binyon: does not think the anthology ["Garland of New Poetry" (1899)?] will be good; it is mostly Miss Coleridge and a few others; thinks Binyon has closed the subscription list. Asks Trevelyan to tell Berenson he is working on the dating of pictures: mentions two works by Gentile [Bellini]. Augustus [Enticknap] has whooping cough. A separate sheet added as postscript encourages Trevelyan to write a simple letter to Helen with advice on what to put: thinks 'part of the depression comes from an idea that she has done wrong and people disapprove'. Thanks Trevelyan's mother: grapes would be welcome.
The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Very sorry to hear that Elizabeth and Julian are not coming north, but it is better for him to get well again. Passed on the message to Annie [Philips] who would like to put Elizabeth up. Suggests she comes at the end of August to spend a week before G[eorge] and J[anet] come and a week with them. Mrs Enticknap should write to Mrs Davidson and arrange with her when she is coming [to visit Gussie]. Is glad Sir George will be getting 'a difficult puzzle'; he finishes the easy ones far too quickly. There is 'an outbreak of garden parties at Wallington', but will still have one when the family are all with her. Annie is very well.
The Mill House, Westcot, Dorking. - Tells her about a discussion with Bargman, the man who did the house for him, about damp, the possibility of putting in a baize door as Gussie [Enticknap] can be 'a little obstreperous' after tea; and burglars. Thinks perhaps he should have the library, as first decided. [His aunt Meg Price] says she will pay the extra when they want a grand piano if she is still alive, which is 'very generous'; he has suggested she gets them a Broadwood £40 upright, but her 'professional friend' will know best what will suit a small room. They must go and visit as soon as they can; she rather reproached Bob for not visiting. Gives the measurements for the table. Sends her a curl from his head; is wearing hers next to his heart. Thinks he will send "The [Lady's] Bat" and "Dryope", and perhaps some others, to the "Speaker"; Hammond, an editor he knows, thinks they may put them in. Can break off his tenancy of the Temple rooms whenever he likes, but should like to keep them for the summer; Sanger will probably find another tenant in the summer, though he may still marry, which Bob and Fry think would probably be best although his friend [Dora Pease] has treated him badly. Sanger is in financial difficulty, which Bob does not want to worsen. Thinks he will probably go to the Lizard for a few days at Easter. Has not yet written to the Borrowdale people [the Peppers] about the honeymoon, nor to her uncle, which he should do this evening. Does not anticipate that there will be any difficulties regarding the wedding, but he should check; will leave the precise date of the ceremony for her and her relations to choose. Asks if she has heard from the Grandmonts. Had a scare yesterday when his Shakespeare, two Greek books, and the manuscript of his play, which he had hidden in the woods then 'wandered off meditating' were taken home by a passing labourer; was in despair but the gamekeeper suggested where they might be. The [Second Boer] war is 'getting to a very unpleasant state': the 'war party are very brutal, breaking up meetings, rioting etc'. Thinks the Government has behaved 'shockingly' for not suppressing them, there has been much indignation against them which may do good in the end.
The Shiffolds. - Dr Clarke says that Bessie 'could not be doing better'; Paul is also very well, and 'sleeps a fair amount'; Clarke will come again tomorrow. The nurse 'manages splendidly'. The household is also getting on very well: Mrs Ent[icknap] 'takes a great deal of trouble' and Alice also 'helps well'. Gussie [Enticknap] was 'kept in the dark until yesterday evening', when his mother took him to see the baby; he 'seemed very much astonished'. He thinks he will 'soon have someone to play cricket with, but that is looking forward too far'.
Everyone thinks the baby looks a lot like Robert; supposes he must be, but to him he 'looks far more like Mr Finch'; asks his mother not to tell this to Finch. The baby is 'certainly very healthy and a fair size, 7 1/2 lbs and 20 inches'; his hair is 'about Bessie's colour, or a little darker, and his skin is rather brown'.
Lady V[aughan] Williams has just called to enquire and invite Robert to High Ashes for lunch; thinks he will go, as Bessie usually sleeps after lunch. Miss [Sophy?] Wedgwood and Margaret Vaughan Williams also came to see the baby this afternoon, and 'thought him very charming'. Does not think he missed writing to anyone: sent telegrams to Aunt Anna, Aunt Meg, Uncle Harry, Aunt Nora, Janet, Molly and a few others. Sends love - also from Bessie and Paul - to his father; will write to him next. Must finish now as the post is due.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - If it suits Elizabeth to come later, will be glad to see her then. Mary is 'laid up' in bed on Dr [Ethel?] Williams' advice, though Caroline does not think 'anything will go wrong'. Has been sitting with her, and yesterday looked after 'a picnic party of Women Liberals' for her. Discusses the question of nurses; thinks that Mrs Catt should take a longer holiday. Hopes Elizabeth's 'suspicions' [of pregnancy] are true; she must not worry, and take care. She would like Mrs Catt to come back herself, but thinks Booa [Mary Prestwich] is doubtful. Mrs Davidson says that Mrs Enticknap is coming soon [to visit Gussie]. A postscript on a separate sheet says she is sending Elizabeth a blouse from Interlaken; has been to visit Mary and hopes she will be well in a few days; does hope Elizabeth is right [about pregnancy] as it would be 'good for Julian and everyone'; recommends again that Elizabeth should put off the decision about nurses to see whether Nurse Catt really is better.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad that Mrs Enticknap got back safely; wanted her to stay till today but she did not want to travel without an escort; glad she was 'satisfied with Gussie'. Will send some fruit tomorrow and hopes it arrives in good condition; it worked for Janet, but the post is quicker there. Mary is recovering [after her miscarriage], but must stay in bed until the end of the week; she is 'very cheerful, & wants company', so it is lucky a cousin has come to stay, as Caroline found it very tiring visiting her every day. George came for three days; he is 'fairly cheerful now, but looks sadly older, & has times of silence and depression [following the death of his son Theo]'; was meeting Janet at Ellargreen [?]. Delighted to hear that Elizabeth's 'news [that she is pregnant]' is true; will be 'so good for Julian'. Knows she is always careful; Mary was 'very unwise' and it is kindest not to say too much about it. Sorry to hear that Mrs Catt still doubts she is strong enough to come as a nurse. Excited and uneasy about politics; it is a 'very serious crisis'. Hopes Mr [Donald] Tovey will soon be settled and that they have a good time with him. Going to a garden party at Hallington today. Loves the little photograph of Julian.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Apologises for not writing for a few days: they 'missed a post by mistake', and this afternoon Roland [Vaughan Williams?] called wanting him to go for a walk just as he was about to write and Bessie thought he should go. There is not much news: Bessie and Paul are doing well. Bessie has 'already seen several people', and Lady V[aughan] Williams will probably visit tomorrow.
Thanks his mother for her letter, which came this afternoon; Bessie thanks her for her last letter and was 'much amused to hear of the muisjes-rite'; she is 'shocked' that Robert is 'refusing the sacriment, because it contains carroway seed [sic]' - he does however think they 'look very pretty'. Bessie says the 'nursing' [breast-feeeding] is going well, and 'the supply and demand question, which often seems the chief difficulty, has been settled to the satisfaction of both parties'.
There has been heavy snow, but the 'Doctor still comes out in his motor'. Will give Gussie [Enticknap] his Christmas card. Robert has had a 'letter of congratulation' from A. G. Watson. Supposes there is snow at Welcombe too.
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.
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. - 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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
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. - 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 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 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 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'.
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'.
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'
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'.
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.
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.