House of Commons Public Bill Office. - Apologises for not writing to congratulate Bobby on his engagement; very sorry that he and his wife were away when Bobby's fiancée was in England; has been told how 'charming' she is. He himself has discovered that there is 'nothing quite so good as a happy marriage'; sure Bobby will find the same. Thinks of giving them the works of Anatole France as a present, and asks if that would be welcome.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Agrees it is better from Julian to stay at Wallington; hopes Elizabeth will stay as long as she can then leave him with them; will be sorry if Bob has to return before Elizabeth; also the Frank Hollands are coming for three night on 27 August and would be sorry not to see him. Elizabeth will see [from an enclosed letter?] that Mrs Cookson and the child cannot come. Has had no more news of Janet; hopes she is recovering steadily. Hopes the weather is 'fine & cool' as it is in the mountains. Mary is 'well & active, but is still rather too stout', and her family all well. Sir George is happy to have no visitors until Elizabeth comes; she gave him an 'enormous puzzle' with eight hundred pieces which she hopes will last some time. The garden is beautiful; Keith won all the prizes he entered. Sir George was very interested in Robert's last letter. Asks if 'Verrall's memoir' can be got at a library, or if it is privately printed; she has not seen it. Thinks Sir George likes it. Postscript on a separate sheet saying that Sir George would like Elizabeth to help him re-arrange the china in the Hall, and that she has got an outdoor swing [?] that Julian will like.