The Shiffolds. - He and Bessie are 'so sorry' to hear that his mother is unwell and 'obliged to keep her bed'; hopes that the rest has 'already done her good' and that she will recover very soon. Thinks Bessie is writing to her. Thanks his father for sending him the letter from the Bursar [of Trinity, Cambridge ?]. Must be a 'great satisfaction to wear a scarlet gown. Even going into hall in a B.A.'s gown used to make one feel appreciably more grand and important'.
Bessie's niece [Emma], 'the daughter of her brother [Hermann who lives in Germany, a girl of just twenty', is visiting for a few weeks; she is 'a very nice girl, and it is a great pleasure for Bessie to have her here'. They are reading Jane Austen in the evening to 'improve her English'; they have finished Northanger Abbey and are starting Mansfield Park. They also 'read an act of Hamlet together in the morning'. They will probably go to London to meet Julian, who comes home from school on Thursday; he has 'been in bed with a chill for a day or two' but seems to be recovering, and to have had 'quite a good term'.
Will send back the Livingstone in a few days; finds it quite interesting. Sends love to his mother and to Aunt Annie; will write to his mother soon.