Zermatt. - Thanks Elizabeth for her note and telegram; Caroline had written to 'the poor lady'. Glad the concert went well, and hopes next week will be good; Dolmetsch must appreciate Elizabeth playing. Zermatt suits Sir George very well and he is taking 'quite long walks'; they are staying an extra day, going to Martigny on Wednesday, then driving over the Tête Noire to Chamonix. They will spend three days there before travelling home, arriving in London on 25 June. Sir George is going up to Wallington; Caroline asks if she could visit Elizabeth and Robert on the way to Welcombe, bringing Pantlin, who could stay in the village. Glad Elizabeth is comfortable at Gr[osvenor] C[rescent]; hears Mrs Cooper [the cook] is back so hopes Elizabeth will take all her meals at home; she should also use the carriage, as Mary and Janet do. There are quite a few people here, but it must be 'horrible' in season.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Delighted that Elizabeth is 'enjoying the Booths' company'; very sorry that C[harles] Booth is so unwell, as heart problems are hard to deal with. She and Sir George agree with what she says about him: it is 'extraordinary' that he has such a 'knowledge of the working class' and yet 'his conclusions are so vague & formless, & so absolutely unsuited to practical politics'. Thinks something must happen soon at Cheyne Gardens; Janet [due to give birth] is well, but when Caroline took her on a drive yesterday she 'seemed less comfortable'. Charles and Mary are well and come to dine tonight. Politics very interesting: the Government have 'got into another disgraceful mess about Ireland' but obviously 'intend to stay in as long as possible'. She and Sir George went to a Court last night; she had a new grey dress, and Pantlin 'made up [her] last years train with grey chiffon'; they saw many friends and left early. Went to Broadwoods about pianos; they say they pay little for grand pianos since 'no one buys them now', so she thinks they must put up with the size of the piano in London and buy a small upright for Welcombe, in light oak to suit the room; Elizabeth can choose it. Asks if she will return to England much before Easter. Mr Gow [Thomas Gow, a Northumberland neighbour?] is very ill and may die; he is eighty-seven. Has written to Robert about his book ["The Birth of Parsival"?]. Janet likes it and quoted a passage she found beautiful. Annie [Philiips] is coming up this afternoon. Good that Elizabeth and Robert's new house is nearly finished; it has been a 'wonderful winter for building'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Discusses arrangements for her visit on Wednesday 1 November; Tuesday would be difficult as she has a Com[mittee] all day. If it would be inconvenient due to the departure of Elizabeth's 'troublesome little maid', she could come on the 9th or 10th if she knew at once. Booa [Mary Prestwich] is not coming up before they go abroad, but will be in London over Christmas so Elizabeth could invite her to visit then. Caroline will not bring Pantlin [her maid] so Elizabeth must excuse her appearance. Very sorry about Florence [the maid]; she thinks the mother 'very foolish'. Suggests finding a girl from further away; she herself never takes them from the village as 'they do nothing but talk & gossip'. Asks when Elizabeth and Robert think of going abroad; asks if they will come south, and see Caroline and Sir George in Rome on the way; they start on 12 December. Glad Elizabeth likes the name Pauline; the baby is nice and placid, not as lively as Mary was; Mary does not like her at the moment 'as she is not allowed to seize her by the head, & put her nose into her mouth'; they leave on Wednesday. Thanks Elizabeth for the news about Aunt Margaret [Holland?]. Wonders whether next year Elizabeth should get a 'regular house parlourmaid, & let Mrs Enticknap do the cooking'. Sends love to Robert; glad he is getting some shooting.
Rome. - Pleased the nurse Elizabeth has found seems so suitable; hopes she will let her and Julian 'take their own way of settling down'. Her own bronchitis 'drags on' and she finds it hard to keep cheerful; Pantlin is 'extraordinarily good' to her, nursing her with 'poultices & rubs', as well as washing, dressing, and cooking for her. Is starting to feel uneasy about the journey home. Sir George is 'awfully kind & good' but she know it is beginning to 'tell on him' and he must return to his work by the middle of next month. Keeps wondering if she will now be an invalid. Good that Ch[arles] and M[ary] are here, though Mary's energy is 'just a little overwhelming'. Glad Elizabeth is enjoying the [Gordon] Bottomleys' visit and seeing lots of friends. Annie [Philips] offered to come out and help to nurse Caroline; she is 'the most affectionate of sisters'. Charles and Mary are returning on Thursday; Charles is enjoying seeing the Forum and other classical remains. Is reading Miss [Florence] Nightingale's "Life" and finding it very interesting; a 'kind lady' also lends her novels, 'more or less bad'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very interested to hear about Robert's 'personal canvass, and meetings'; thinks it a 'good result at Coldharbour' and it is a 'great point' that the people will respect their promises [about voting Liberal] when made to Robert. Caroline will arrive this evening, travelling by motor to Paddington; Pantlin is with her; she has been 'thoroughly ill'. Sorry for Elizabeth's disappointment about Madame Grandmont [her cousin Bramine Hubrecht]. Will think of Robert on Saturday evening at the National Liberal Club, and wish he were with him. Making arrangements to get a Sunday newspaper.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S. W. - Will come by the 10.45 train tomorrow, and will not bring Pantlin [her maid]. Cannot write about [Paul's death]: 'it is 'too terribly sad'.
Palace Hotel, Via Veneto, Rome. - Caroline was ill with a bad cold on 23 November; their journey to Rome was difficult and 'under medical sanction' after she had spent a few days in bed. She took to bed again with a bad attack of bronchitis on 3 December, which at first gave cause for anxiety, but the doctor is excellent and Pantlin an 'admirable and devoted nurse'; she will be slow to recover. Notes in a postscript that they had 'some delightful times with Robert'.
Vernon House, Hartington Place, Eastbourne. - Caroline is at last 'really convalescent' and will stay at Eastbourne for a week; he himself goes to Welcombe tomorrow. Booa [Mary Prestwich] and Pantlin will stay with Caroline. This is a 'spick-and-span watering place', ready for a crowd which has not yet come. Is 'rather overset' by the King's death; reminds him of when he was invited, 'as a sort of typical undergraduate' to dine at Madingley [Hall] on the day of the Prince's coming to Cambridge. Only Sir George, [the Duke of] St Albans, and the Prince 'a pretty, very young boy' were there; Sir George was by some years the oldest, and now is the only survivor. Has had opportunity to observe the new King well; the old King is, politically, 'a terrible loss, with his immense authority and popularity and his tried Liberalism!'. Agrees that much of [Samuel Butler's] "Erewhon" is 'rather pretentious'. Sends love to Elizabeth. Was delighted by the picture of Robert and Julian.
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 to hear good news about Elizabeth's uncle. Pantlin is ready for Elizabeth to try on the dress; she will have to come on Saturday rather than Monday if she wants it finished before they leave on Thursday. Has written to Dolmetsch about a concert but not yet received a reply; asks whether he is in London at Charlotte Street. Is going to see George at Cambridge today.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very glad Elizabeth likes the dress; sorry it is 'not quite right'; Pantlin will alter it when Elizabeth next comes to town. Will be glad to give her a bed on the 11th-12th. Very kind of her to play with Dolmetsch; perhaps it will 'be better only to do that'; would not have asked her [to play a solo piece?] if Dolmetsch had not suggested it; they must be careful it is 'his concert'. Sir George has had an attack of rheumatism; not too bad but he is 'feverish & uncomfortable & gets low spirited'. Mr Calvin is spending Sunday here, but he is 'fortunately a quiet person'. Ascot Week begins 17 June and 'the Waterloo line is so crowded' that Sir George says 'nothing will induce him' to go to Aunt Margaret [Holland]'s then; she has suggested visiting on the 13th instead but has not yet had a reply from Margaret; asks if they may come to visit Elizabeth and Robert on the 14th if she agrees. Sorry that Marie [Hubrecht] has been ill again.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Robert and Elizabeth are getting away very soon; not surprised they cannot settle down at home; Elizabeth will have much to do and she hopes she is strong enough. Glad 'some occupations' have been arranged at Ravello, as it is 'a little dull'; wonders how Robert will teach Latin. Sir George once tried to teach her, but she 'was so stupid that it was a failure'. Sweet of Elizabeth to make her a blanket but she must not trouble to finish it before she goes; likes tehm 'big enough to put round [her] back on cold nights' and will think of her when she 'cuddle[s] up into it'. Pantlin has gone to Newcastle to buy presents for the schools' Christmas trees; organising treats for children is always 'rather a bore' but they do enjoy them. The [Henry?] Willoughby Trevelyans are at Wallington for a night and the Spence Watsons will be there for Sunday; he will tell them 'all about Derby'. Hopes Elizabeth has read George's article ["The White Peril", in the "Nineteenth Century"]; asks her to show it to her cousin [Ambrosius Hubrecht] and his sons.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very sorry that Julian is so unwell again; does not like the sound of 'an asthmatic tendency'; the time in London has been spoiled but the Shiffolds would not have been any better for him. Wishes Elizabeth could find a nurse, or that they could help her; suggests asking the doctor who might know someone. Would like to come up to London to see them, but cannot leave Sir George; he is recovering 'wonderfully', and is getting some work done each day, but still needs much looking after. Asks if Robert liked the M.G. ["Manchester Guardian"] review of his book ["The New Parsifal"]; G[eorge] says the "Times" is going to review it. She has been reading it a great deal; told Robert she did not quite understand it, and hopes he is not vexed; she understands the 'fun' but does not always grasp its deeper meaning, and would know more of the characters if she had seen the "Parsifal" opera [Wagner]. The 'new poetry magazine' ["New Numbers"?] arrived this morning; asks if Robert paid her subscription, and how much it is; laments her increased forgetfulness with age. Booa [Mary Prestwich] and Hearn are also 'so old now, but excellent as ever'; Grace has been twenty years with them and Pantlin thirty. Had a good visit from George, though did not think him cheerful.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Arrived yesterday from York. Met Mr Clarke at Newcastle and gave him lunch, then drove out to Wallington. Booa [Mary Prestwich] seems much better; Pantlin is taking a holiday; Hearn has given the footman a holiday. The bad news [unsatisfactory reports of the Battle of Jutland?] spoiled their pleasure at the return. Nixon came to see them last night; he is 'more solid than ever'. Mary sent a message that they would all visit this afternoon; unless it stops raining, Caroline hopes the children will not come. Pauline is recovered, and they are going on Tuesday to the sea; Miss Clarke [the governess] is taking all four of them by herself. Enjoyed visiting Annie [Philips], who is 'very cheerful, & has such a number of people about her, of every kind'. Will be glad when Elizabeth has Lily with her to help with Julian. Sir George will enjoy arranging the books from London. Glad Elizabeth likes the things from Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent].
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - It is 'quite extraordinary' how they hear nothing of the war here, though it is only twenty miles from the Tyne 'which is seething with work & excitement'. Booa is certainly better; she is enjoying doing Caroline's hair while Pantlin [her maid] is on holiday. Meta Smith is paying a visit this week, and Annie [Philips] also comes to stay on Friday. It is very cold, and last night they sat with their feet up on the fender; it is pleasant not to have lamps [due to the black out] but it makes the room colder at night. Has heard from Miss Clarke to say [Charles and Molly's children] are all happy at Criccieth; the baby [Florence] is here and they see her often. Thinks it must be bad weather at the Lakes. Hopes Elizabeth will have Lily soon to help with Julian. Thinks she must enjoy teaching him. Sir George is busy arranging books; the billiard room is full of them, and he is filling the new bookcase. Heard news of Bob at the Park; supposes he is now at the Lakes.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Annie [Philips] is here for a fortnight; they went on Thursday to Holy Island, which was a long day but interesting; they enjoyed the drive over the sands and the view of Bamburgh from the island, the light on the water 'was just what excited Turner'. Today they are going to have a picnic tea at Sweethope Lake. Pantlin is beginning 'the flannels'; supposes Elizabeth likes the pattern she made for the others. The school children are coming tomorrow; Caroline is 'entertaining some High School mistresses on the 14th'; Mary and Pauline are coming for a few days at the end of the month. The Exhibition is on the third Saturday in August; they will probably have their party the following week; Caroline must also have a garden party this year. Must start thinking about visitors, so asks Elizabeth to say when she and Robert would like to come. They are hoping for news of Janet [who is due to give birth]. Annie is going to Sicily next winter.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear good news of Elizabeth, and that she got all her shopping now; if the 'elderly nurse seems suitable' when they meet, she will feel settled and ready for 'the event' [giving birth]. Helen Verrall is here; Mr Hunsfield [?] and his son are arriving today, then Sir George's American friend C[harles] F[rancis] Adams and his wife come on Saturday. Mary and Pauline return tomorrow; hopes the troubles [local illness?] are over. George arrived 'over-worked & looking ill'; is taking a real holiday and seems to be getting better. Sir George is well, and much enjoyed his days shooting yesterday at Catcherside. Sends love to Bob; was 'flattered' at him liking her article. Sure Elizabeth is enjoying Mr [Donald] Tovey's playing. Pantlin is finishing the flannels, which will be sent soon. Hopes the lane [at the new house] will soon be 'all it should be'.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Reached London at noon yesterday, went to a sub-committee meeting, then returned home to get tea ready for Sir George; very good to see him again and he seems well. He is 'distressed' she has not 'seen [Elizabeth] through to the crisis [giving birth]'. They think she had better go to Welcombe with him unless they hear from Elizabeth tomorrow morning; she can easily come to Surrey from there if she is wanted. Pantlin is to go in to a home of Dr Thorne's as she would not get into a hospital for a long time, so Carter will go to Welcombe with Caroline. Charlie visited this morning and will dine with them; Janet came to lunch, her nurse has had influenza; she is weaning Theodore now and goes to Stocks this week and Welcombe on 7 January. Charlie and Sir George 'very glad that the Lords are negociating' but she is 'not so well pleased'. Has very much enjoyed spending so much time with Elizabeth and Robert; knows their 'home and friends and surroundings' very well now. Sends best regards to Miss Noel.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Was very sad yesterday to be going further from Elizabeth [since the baby is due]. London was 'horrid... dark & dirty & noisy'. Left Pantlin in low spirits, but she writes that the [nursing] home is nice; believes her operation is today. McKenzie said there was nothing wrong with Sir George's ear, having 'looked into it with an electric light!'. Rolandi does not have [Rolland's] "Jean Christophe", so she will send for it from the London Library. Hopes that Mr [Donald] Tovey's concert was a success. Can come to Surrey via Reading and Gomshall, though Sir George 'very strangely' objects to her returning this week; can start at short notice.
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'.