Item 145 - Letter from Jean Monks to Elizabeth Trevelyan

1 item.

39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh 7. - Has burnt Bessie's letter: was very kind of her to write. Sir Donald [Tovey] is 'terribly ill', though he has improved slightly over the last couple of days; has become rather rapidly worse in the six weeks she has been here. He sleeps or is drowsy most of the time, but occasionally surprises them 'with a quotation or a witty remark', though he finds it difficult to speak; admires him very much. Miss Weisse is dreadful; 'very soon discovered her jealous and foolish ways'; is very sorry for Lady Tovey having to deal with her on top of all her other sufferings, but they laugh at her 'which is the only thing to do'; she has 'most wonderful and weird ideas about nursing'. Would love to visit when she comes south; always remember the Shiffolds 'and its cherry trees', which must have been lovely this year as they were in Pattendale.