Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth is 'really improving & feeling in better spirits [after her operation]'; was sorry to hear from Booa [Mary Prestwich] that she was not better on Thursday and Friday. Tiresome that she has to… read more
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth is 'really improving & feeling in better spirits [after her operation]'; was sorry to hear from Booa [Mary Prestwich] that she was not better on Thursday and Friday. Tiresome that she has to stay at the [nursing] home, but it is good that she is getting through this first spell under medical care. Very good of Miss Martin to offer to visit her or travel down with her [to Surrey] to help her through 'the first tiring days'; was very sorry to leave her. Had visit on Friday from Dr [Henry Palin] Gurney, head of the Durham College of Science, and his wife, who are 'nice cultivated people', as well as the 'Middletons [Sir Arthur Middleton and/or his children ?] & the Blackett-Ordes [sic] from Rothbury'; they did not leave until nearly lunchtime on Saturday, after which she and Sir George 'took a quiet walk and settled down a little'. Has to 'superintend a mild [?] lecture in the village' tomorrow afternoon, then is going to Newcastle on Tuesday to preside at the 1st of a series of lectures on Industrial matters' got up by Mrs [Hilda] Runciman. Charlie is at home till Tuesday, and then will go off again 'shooting & speaking'. Sends love to Bob; hopes to see the book ["Polyphemus and Other Poems"] soon. The destruction of trees in the storm 'very sad'; they lost about eight 'just before the portico walk', and about ten firs by the bridge, as well as single ones. The wrecks on the nearby coast were 'most sad & terrible'. A postscript adds that she hopes the news from Utrecht [of Elizabeth's uncle] is good and is sorry about the Queen [the miscarriage suffered by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands?].
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