Item 185 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Caroline Trevelyan

1 doc

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Things have happened sooner than expected: fortunately Bessie is 'doing well, but there is a sad side to it, as the child when it was born was no longer alive'; expects Bessie will take longer than usual to recover, though Dr Cornish does 'not anticipate any further serious trouble, as the birth has relieved the pressure that caused the harm'. Seems a good thing this happened when it did, as if the pregnancy had continued it 'might soon have become dangerous'. Has not yet been up to see her and the doctor is still here, but expects he will have done so before the post goes. Dr Cornish brought nurse Godwin this morning, as she 'happened to be in Dorking'; she will stay a fortnight, then they will get nurse Shepherd. Supposes there is no need to keep nurse Fry, who 'did very well, though she was not a maternity nurse'; the doctor says that even if she had been, it would have made no difference. Hopes his parents 'will not allow this news to upset [them]. It is bad, but it might easily have been worse, and at least it is over'.

Has now seen the doctor again, who thinks everything is 'going on very well' and will come again tomorrow morning; meanwhile they have two nurses (has wired to stop nurse Shepherd coming this afternoon), so she need not be anxious about Bessie. Will tell his mother at once if anything is wrong. Dr Cornish did not give any indication that 'the state of things was so serious, in fact he does not seem to have expected what happened, though no doubt he knew it was possible', or Robert would have let his parents know. She seemed 'rather less well' over the last couple of days, but there was 'nothing to cause any apprehension'. But the 'beginning of the trouble (about 3 ocl. last night) turns out to have been an absolute necessity to prevent worse'. Everything was over by 10.30 this morning. Does not think she 'suffered much more pain than usual'. Hopes his mother will not mind him not telegraphing: there would not have been any point, since his parents were not expecting any news. She 'must not think of coming here'; does not think there would be any point in anyone coming at the moment.

Has not yet written to anyone, but will do to Charles and George. Bessie has not seen his father's 'kind letter to her with the enclosure [11/160]', meanwhile, Robert thanks him 'in her stead'. A letter from Molly says that Charles is 'a little better', as is her arm; hopes they will get away to London. Julian is well, and 'does not seem to mind the cold weather'. Will write together after the doctor has been, and will also send a line by the morning post to say how things are. His mother must not bother about 'those addresses [for a circulation list: see 46/184]': the book does not come out till Easter. She must not think of coming here for a fortnight or so; Mrs Grandmont is probably coming, and until then Bessie 'will have to be quite quiet'. Has not time to write more, as he must write to George and Charles. Would be 'very kind' if his mother would let Aunt Annie, and anyone else she thinks should be told, know.

Adds a postscript saying that he does not mean to suggest Dr Cornish 'should have taken a more serious view of the symptoms': he treated Bessie 'very carefully', but probably did not think it right to alarm Robert 'by talking of possibilities that might be groundless'; believes the doctor and nurses did 'everything that could be done'.