Item 155 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to George Otto Trevelyan

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Has 'nothing to say for [himself], and no explanations to give': accepts that he has 'neglected [his] duty in a very disgraceful way'. Had actually written to his grandfather [Sir Charles Trevelyan, or Robert Needham Philips?] before receiving his father's letter, but now thinks that he did not do so 'sufficiently'; does not think he 'fully realized the extent of [his] ingratitude', but does now after the letter and some consideration. Wrote and 'said all that [he] could', though knows this is a 'poor compensation' for his neglect. Says it was due not as much to 'undutifulness and ingratitude' as to 'carelessness and forgetfulness', since he did not mean to be 'rude or unkind' to his grandfather. Thinks that if he keeps working well, or better than before, and keeping his promises to his father, he will be 'best able to prevent these sort of things', which he is sure are connected. Begins to see 'how right' his father was when he 'spoke so seriously' to him last holiday.

Came eighth [in his form] last month, with which he was 'not at all satisfied' and fears his 'revision pulled [him] down', but 'the real time of difficulty' is now since he finds it most difficult to work steadily at the end of term. Hopes something like this 'will never happen again', and does not think it will if he becomes 'steadier in [his] work and school life'. Is very sorry to have pained his grandfather, as he is sure he must have done.