The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his mother for her [birthday?] present, especially as she has allowed him to exchange it: instead of a box for 'wax vestas', which he does not use as 'wood matches are better for lighting pipes', Bessie has chosen 'two very pretty pewter candlesticks, modern, but of an old pattern' from the same shop; they will be 'very useful' in one of the bedrooms.
Received from Withers this morning 'a draft of a letter which he proposes sending to Mr Philipson' [acting for the other party in the matter of the will of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan], which he expects his father will have seen by now; has written approving it and consenting to its despatch if his father approves'.
Bessie has gone into Dorking today, though it is a 'horrid day'. Saw Charles, Molly, and Sir Hugh Bell yesterday, at 'the Irish plays at the Court', who 'seemed quite well'; Elsa [Richmond, Molly's sister] has been 'rather ill' but Robert understands she is recovering. Synge's Playboy of the Western World is 'firstclass, and wonderfully acted'.