Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Is sorry that he is so busy that he 'cannot undertake to read Dr [G.J.?] Renier's work [perhaps in relation to Bessie's translation of Fruin's "Siege and Relief of Leyden..."]. Asks whether [Archibald] Flower's purchase of Welcombe includes 'the dingles and little wooded valleys exactly opposite the windows of the large Hall..' which are for him 'the really sacred place, the unspoiled Welcombe where Shakespeare undoubtedly roamed' and bought a tithe. Had always hoped that land would 'not be sold in Villa lots', and Withers said it must go with the house which might otherwise be 'unsaleable'; hopes that it has done so and is not in any danger of being 'cut up for bungalos [sic]'.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Has been 'thrilled to hear' of the 'final developments' about Welcombe; thinks Bessie has done great work in 'befriending the tenants and giving them security for their life-times'. Met J.J.W. [James John Withers] in the street here who told her the news; calls Welcombe the 'poor old pink elephant!' [a play on white elephant?]. Glad that Mr [Archibald] Flower has bought it: he has 'local "pull"' so may get it used for 'some reasonable purchase'. For all its ugliness, it will always remind her of Mary and Theo. Asks when Bessie will give up possession: sometimes feels sentimentally that she would like to see the house again, but expects it will not be possible, as they go to Hallington around 10 December, then she will take the 'innamorati [sic: Mary and her fiancée John Moorman' for a brief holiday in Rome. Writes a postscript after Bessie's letter to George has arrived; very glad about 'all those happy people in the cottages' [at Welcombe]; congratulates her on what must have been 'a very difficult and tedious job'.