Pièce 200 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Caroline Trevelyan

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[on mourning notepaper]:- Is very sorry to be late writing to her: has been 'in great difficulties for want of time lately', and has even had to ask to be 'let off some work'. There are rehearsals for acting, both in Greek and English, every day, as well as 'a great deal of extra mathematics for the certificate'; Mr Moss has also been 'doubling his demands' on Robert 'just at this most difficult time'. Robert could not do everything, so had to 'forgo the [Greek?] prose' and finally ask Mr Welldon to let him off some work; Welldon promised to do so, but has not yet. Was 'very sorry to complain, but there is a point beyond which one cannot go'; no other monitor who acts also has extra work for Moss, and still say they 'cannot find time for the acting'.

Has not had time for the last month to go to 'ducker' [the outdoor swimming pool], or practice at cricket, though that 'does not matter much'. His house were 'beaten by Bozzie's' [Bosworth Smith's?] in a close, exciting match. Very good that Georgie 'got the Prose' [the Latin Prose prize?]; Robert 'thought he probably would'. Georgie wants to know if he should get 'a whole edition of Macaulay', or if not 'they have a Ferdinand and Isabella [by W. H. Prescott?]'.

Has written to Sophie [Wicksteed]; Aunt Annie [Philips] says she is better now; asks if they will come to Wallington. Thinks he will need another tailcoat for speech day, as his 'best is rather shabby', but will do as his mother thinks best. Thanks her for the 'white waistcoats and the eatables'; and asks her to thank Booa [Mary Prestwich] for the pasties. Read in Chapel the Sunday before last; still finds it 'a severe ordeal to go through'.

Hears Charlie 'has done very well in Mays', though is not sure what that is. The school is 'doing better at cricket now'. Has not had time recently to continue his reading of Arrian, 'or indeed to read anything extra', but will go on with it when he can. Is sorry he had to drop the prose, but 'it was absolutely impossible to do it, still less to do it well'. Is 'glad the Tories are catching it'; sees they 'had a majority of only 29 last night'. G[eorgie] is 'quite well'.