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8 Grosvenor Crescent, S. W. [London] :- Thanks his parents for their last letter; they are in town again, as Bessie needs to go to rehearsals for her last concert [with Arnold Dolmetsch] on Wednesday. The concerts have 'gone of very well so far', though Robert was unable to attend the last one since it was on the 'evening of the [Apostles?] dinner'. Henry Jackson made a 'very nice speech', as did 'Judge Lushington, who was the oldest of those present'.

They lunched at North Street last week and thought Charles and Molly looked 'very happy, and their house very nice'. They went to Harrow last Saturday to see the [F. E.?] Marshalls and had a 'very pleasant time there'; they went to the 'Speech room' in the evening 'to hear the final reading for the reading prize' which was 'very amusing', though they 'did not think the standard very high'. 'Young [James?] Butler, who must be about 15 or 16, was promising' though did not yet have 'sufficient command of his voice'; he is said to be 'quite a good scholar, and looks a nice boy'. The winner read Joy for his chosen piece. The Lower School had to read the 'description of William at the Boyne [from Macaulay]; but they did not make much of it'. Also saw Sir Arthur Hort, who is 'mainly responsible for [the] first fifteen boys'; believes he is 'doing very well', and there have certainly been more scholarships awarded to Harrow boys over the last few years. Very sad they have 'thought it necessary to dry up the Grove pond'; supposes it was a 'great nuisance and expense'.

They hope to see Sir George before long, and also that Caroline will come to Dorking around the end of the month.

[On headed notepaper for 8, Grosvenor Crescent]:- Thanks his father for his letter. Supposes that his mother sent him the Italian newspaper about [Giordano?] Bruno; intends to read it as he wants to learn more about Bruno, and will learn some Italian. Asks his father to thank her for it. The school will have a 'very good eleven' this year, and should win at Lords; [Charles] Pope, from his house, has got into the team, but [Lawrie] Oppenheim has gone to Margate to recover from hayfever and 'lost nearly all his chance'. He himself played for his house and 'by a great chance made 15, but the bowling was very bad'; the match was against Mr Marshall's new house so 'of course' Robert's house won.

Is 'still reading Greek plays in great numbers'. Forgot to say, though expects his father will have heard by now, that Charlie won the reading prize on Saturday; thinks 'he read far the best', and most people agree. Charlie read [The Battle of?] Naseby [by Macaulay]; remembers his father telling him that he was not allowed to read it when he was at Harrow. Charlie has 'a very good voice, and is not nervous'; Robert thinks 'he ought to speak very well when he grows up'.

Writing at the desk in his room, where Pusska is pushing against his arm so he finds it difficult to write; expects the cat 'wants to send.. his love'. Soon after Julian left, saw a young fox cub in the wood on the way to Holmbury,; he 'looked very pretty', but Robert expects he will 'have one or two of our chickens'. Mr [Francis] Birrell is coming to stay the night. Tomorrow, will go to the Lake Hunt near Keswick, then to spend a couple of nights with Mr [Frank] Marshall at Hawes End [sic: Hawse End], then for a couple of weeks to Silverdale to see Mr and Mrs [Gordon and Emily] Bottomley. Has bathed at Tanhurst several times lately, though it was too cold the last couple of mornings; the pond is not quite full, so it is 'rather difficult to climb out'; it has not begun to smell badly yet. Hopes Julian's tame rabbit is well.