Item 180 - Letter from Janet Trevelyan to Elizabeth Trevelyan

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2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - Did not get Bessie's letter at Welcombe, but at Stocks, where she was from Saturday until returning to London, so she could not pass on her 'tender messages' to Caroline. Her cold was 'at its height' when Janet arrived last Wednesday; she 'nursed it in bed' and did not come downstairs to entertain the Sidgwicks [Arthur and Charlotte] until Friday morning; think the cold had gone by then but 'she looked white & drawn', knows Mrs Sidgwick was worried about her. Has had no news of her since they left on Saturday morning, but she was better then and intending to take some sun. She did not call in Dr Burt, and 'doctored herself in the most primitive way' with bed-rest and 'bread & milk'; Janet thinks she should try 'some form of "sour milk" now', which sometimes has a 'wonderful effect on old people', and Caroline has not been strong since her illness in the spring.

Wishes Bessie could see her children more often; she must come to stay with them at Stocks Cottage in May or June; meanwhile she is back in London in case Bessie is coming up for the day soon. The little photograph [of Julian] was 'very sweet, with Booa [Mary Prestwich] as the angel of benevolence'. They have not 'read about the Dowager Empress' and Janet's own history has not 'got on very well at Stocks, which [she always finds] a hopeless house for working in'.