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.
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'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Pleasant to get Elizabeth's letter 'with an atmosphere of Italy about it'; was very sorry to leave Rome; the journey home was not pleasant but they 'arrived without misadventure'. Spent a day in London; Janet and George came to lunch; she seems well but George is tired, having been working hard to finish his Meredith book ["The Poetry and Philosophy of George Meredith"]. He is going now to 'electioneer' for Charlie and F[rancis Dyke] Acland; was in a 'very pessimistic modd', but she thinks things are 'very promising'. Is not sure about the local constituency; the candidate [Malcolm Kincaid-Smith] is 'not very good, & it can hardly be won', but 'even Birmingham is fluttered' and Lionel [Holland] is said to have hopes. Aunt Margaret has gone to stay at the 'Plough & Harrow Hotel' in Edgbaston to be near him; they are much amused and only hope she does not over-tire herself. Sir George is 'fairly well'; expects he will be all right when he gets to work. Cooper [Elizabeth Cooper, cook?] has come to Welcombe with them; she can get about but is not to work this month. They will be very quiet this month; she is not going to Charlie's election; is sure Mary will be a 'capital help'. Mrs Whitby has 'taken them all in - Pauline and nurse [Lister?] included!'. Glad Elizabeth had 'an amusing dance & fête'; asks how long they will stay, and if Robert's work is going well. Asks her to remind Robert to write to Sir George. Asks what Mr [Aubrey] Waterfield is painting. The Burlington House collection is 'not large, but well worthy seeing'; there is a 'most delightful Franz Hals' and much else. They have brought many new books to Welcombe: 'Holman Hunt, [Herbert Paul's life of] Froude, Churchill [Winston's Churchill's life of his father Randolph, etc etc' but spend much time reading newspapers. Has 'an election map to mark' and the accounts to do. G[eorge], J[anet] and Mary are coming to stay after the election. Booa is glad to have the Trevelyans back. The 'heating answers very well'.