Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth and Robert are coming on 20 August; sure it will do her good. There will be lots of guest at first: two girls [Mary Bell and Dorothy Wedderburn], Theodore [Llewelyn Davies?], and Edgar and Baffy Dugdale., who all go on Monday the 24th. The party for the tenants and workpeople is on the 26th; good that Elizabeth and Robert will be there, and hopes it will not be boring. Asks if they can arrange to go away from the 27th, when Charles leaves, to 1 September as she has promised Sir George he can have some entirely quiet days to recover from the guests. They could go and see Durham, Richmond and York on the way if their friends were not ready for them. Would very much like to go to Holy Island with them if the weather is suitable. Charles looks much better; Hilton Young is shooting with him; Sir George has not felt up to it yet but 'will go next week, when they drive the birds'. Sorry that Elizabeth does not feel well; she needs 'some bracing air' and three weeks in the north will be good for her. Believes it will be a family party only in September; will get Elizabeth to help with a garden party. The exhibition at Cambo is on Saturday; Annie [Philips] is coming today, bringing Phil [Morgan Philips] Price. Meggy [Price] is taking Robin to the sea in South Wales; she is still anxious about him, and though he is recovering he does not seem well enough to return to Harrow. Hopes they will have good news about the house when they come, it 'must be worrying'. Supposes Robert is 'quite well again'.
Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.——(25th.) Reassures him that he is not considered responsible for recent events (the silver scandal). Suggests he return early in order to handle the Indian finance debate himself. Refers to her stay with Gertrude Bell. They have just come to the end of a strenuous Christmas Day, and she must be up early tomorrow for a last rehearsal (of the play).—(26th.) Has received another letter from him.
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Transcript
Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire
Christmas Day 1912
I’ve just had a letter from you {1}. I cant bear the idea that you should think, even for an instant, that anyone who knows you at all has ever imagined that you were remotely responsible for anything that has occured† lately. Everyone knows that you have nothing and could have nothing to say or do in the matter. Its horrible not having any letters (tho’ by the time you get this you will have had 2 from Violet I know and probably several from Margot) but the explanation is very simple: you havent yourself written to anyone. Bluey hasnt had a word from you about anything he has been doing, and I dont suppose you have written to Bongie or Mikky either. Have you?
I hear you are thinking of staying away till the beginning of April. Do you think that is a good plan? Why dont you hurry up your journeys a bit and get home by about March 10th. If they knew you were going to be back by then perhaps they would postpone the Indian Finance Debate (it will be a great crush wont it to get it in before the February {2} adjournment and your return would be an excellent reason for delaying it a little.) Wouldnt it be much more satisfactory for you to be there, for Bluey, good as he is, cant know much about it. More than I do, however, who am probably talking nonsense about the whole situation. Have you a great deal more to do and see? You dont say whether you killed your tiger. I hope so. I’ve just come home from staying with Gertrude Bell, I went to a ball at the house of your friend Mrs Dugdale. Maurice told me he had met you in Scotland, he amused me by telling me as a great secret that he thought you would not long remain in the Liberal Party. That you were disgusted by their excesses! Are you?
We’ve just come to the end of a most strenuous Xmas Day, not one item left out. Snapdragon, Church, Waits, and very long traditional card game which we only play on Xmas day, which begins immediately after dinner and is only just now over. (12.30). I’ve done very well in the way of loot. I had masses of things to tell you about, but my pencil has no point, and I dont write in bed with comfort, and I am very sleepy, and I must be up lark early tomorrow for a final Rehearsal.
I hope you’ll be back before the end of March, I am sure, tho’ I know nothing about it, that it would be worth while.
Mikky sends you his love, he is writing to you, he tells me
Yrs
V
Boxing Day
I’ve just had a second letter from you {3}. Thank you so much.
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Written in pencil.
{1} MONT II B1/57.
{2} Spelling uncertain.
{3} MONT II B1/58.