Item 196 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Caroline Trevelyan

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The Shiffolds. - Bessie is 'going on very well'; the doctor came today and was pleased, he will not come again until Thursday. [Edward] Keith's letters to Robert and the Enticknaps came this morning; Mrs Enticknap has 'on the whole taken [Keith's dismissal of her son Gussy as a gardener's boy at Wallington] sensibly, and is not making a grievance of it'. She is 'Of course... slow and rather stupid in not seeing how unsatisfactory Gussy is', but that was to be expected as she 'cannot be told the full truth'; however, she does 'to some extent recognise his weaknesses', and is willing to try to find 'the right kind of employment for him'; it might be best for him to go into the Navy, or a trade such as 'carpentering or a blacksmith's'. She is 'perfectly nice about it' towards Robert and Bessie, and seems to accept that Gussy had to be given notice. Robert thinks Keith 'has behaved very considerately and wisely'; will write to him about it.

Will write tomorrow; will finish his father's book tonight, so may write to him instead of his mother.