Pen Rose, Berkhamsted. - Jokingly claims to be 'appalled' by Bob and Bessie's 'productiveness and industry'; Bob's translation of [Aeschylus's] "Oresteia" has just arrived, and now she hears that Bessie is also 'producing a great work'. She herself knows 'the arduousness of a long translation', having spent '6000 years of [her] youth... over Jülicher' [his commentary on the New Testament]. Gathers that Bessie's translation [of " Character and the Unconscious; a critical exposition of the psychology of Freud and of Jung" by J. H. van der Hoop] has 'quite amused her'; will definitely buy it when it is published. Hopes Bessie and Bob can come to spend a long weekend in February with them; from Saturday would be best as she usually has something keeping her late in London on Friday. She and George are planning a long trip to Italy; she has not been since before the war; they will take Mary and leave Humphry as a boarder at his school. Agrees it is good about Mary's Latin exam: she has never been 'particularly good at that formidable language', but 'they have dragged her somehow'. Her book ["The life of Mrs. Humphry Ward"] is going well; hopes to almost finish it by the time they go away and that it can come out in June; it is 'a great grind [emphasised], but rather lovely to do all the same'. Originally enclosing a photograph of Humphry, 'with a gun given him by Sydney Knutsford', and 'little Charles Fletcher' at Ellergreen; expects Bessie has heard about Edith Cropper's illness, a 'tragic change for that happy house'.
They [she and Julius] thank Robert for his 'most interesting book' [his translation of Aeschylus' "Oresteia"?]; they will take it to the country to enjoy it 'in quietude'; wishes him 'great success' with it. Must also be a 'deliverance' for Bessie to have finished her translation [of " Character and the unconscious : a critical exposition of the psychology of Freud and of Jung" by J.H. van der Hoop]. Has not yet met Dr van der Hoop. The Röntgens all hope that next year will bring all the Trevelyans to Holland again; 'such a long time' since they last met. Asks whether Robert agrees Julian has a 'great [underlined] talent for painting': 'Not onely [sic] the colours but the expression is so good also'. Expects the Trevelyans will have 'cosy days together'. All best wishes.