Item 118 - Letter from E. P. Arnold to George Trevelyan

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Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Bobby 'arrived this morning, looking very well'. Is glad Bobby was happy with his 'new bed-room companions'; thinks Trevelyan will know that one, 'little Tom Booth', has been kept away from school this term with ringworm. In his place Arnold has put 'a little new boy called Alexander', with whom he thinks Bobby will also be happy; Gerard Sellar will remain in the room. Alexander is the 'cousin of the boy who was recently with us and came through Mr R. Palgrave; he seems a very nice little boy'. Unfortunately, has heard from Mr Booth that Tom 'is not yet much better': this is 'most distressing' as the 'malady is proved to have had its origins here', with four other boys from the school ill with it at home, two slightly and two 'rather badly'. They blame themselves for 'having allowed the common use of brushes'; there were nine brushes, washed weekly, so he thought there was no danger; new arrangements have now 'of course' been made, and they have tried to 'correct any flaw'. They are unsure how the infection reached the school; 'none of the common children in the village are known to have had it', and each member of their household, 'including servants', have been examined by a doctor without any light being shed on the matter.

Trusts they 'now know the worst of the trouble, as all the boys here have been passed by a doctor'; he intends for the whole school to be examined again in a few days. Is 'ashamed to trouble [Mr Trevelyan] in such a matter', but feels that he and Mrs Trevelyan 'would wish to know the worst', and that the school are doing all they can to prevent 'the mischief' from spreading or recurring.