The new masters are Mr Rice Jones, replacing Mr Viner, and Mr Champney, replacing Mr Evans. There are five new boys: Henry, Crocker, Wilder, Smith, and Percival. It is 'awfully hot today'. He got Lorna Doone just in time to pack it into his portmanteau. He and S[ackville?] West do all their classics with Mr Arnold; Robert also studies French and Old Testament Divinity with Arnold, History and Geography with Mr Rice Jones, and English and Euclid with Mr Champney. Mr Rice Jones says that he once stayed at Cambo, and knows Mr Gow [the Trevelyan's land agent at Cambo?] and several others. Sends love to his father and to Charlie, 'if he has not gone to the Park [home of their grandfather Robert Needham Philips] yet'. Adds a footnote with an asterisk saying that he is not sure how to spell Rice and Gow, marking these names in the text above also with an asterisk. Finishes by saying they are playing cricket, and Georgie is 'quite well'.
West Grange, Cambo, R.S.O, Northumberland; dated 'Saturday' only. - She and her husband are very glad to hear of Robert's engagement; hopes he has made a good choice and will be very happy. Mr Gow tells her to add that he is very pleased 'that there is still someone who has a warm side for the Dutch!' [in spite of the Second Boer War].
On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland:- Is 'still getting on very well in every way'. They [he and Mr Belfield?] are going to tea with Mr Gow this evening, and dinner with Mr Sidley next Wednesday. Has 'arranged with Howey [gamekeeper?] about his dog, which he was trying to sell', and which Robert thinks 'will just suit [them]'. Spider was unwell a few days ago, but is all right now, though 'he is very dirty, and is thought a great nuisance'. Robert caught a fish a few days ago, but only one.
They went to Fallowlees lake last Friday; most of the gulls were there, but not as many as last time. Mr B[elfield]'s foot is all right now. They finished the Greek play yesterday, and are beginning Antigone. Liked the last part better than the first. Hopes his father is well. Is glad Georgie 'likes Mr [E. P.?] Arnold so well, and that he wishes to stay for the holidays'; is 'sure that for many reasons it would be best'. Wrote to Charlie last week, who 'seems to be getting on very well'. Booa [Mary Prestwich] is quite well.