I don't eat bread, only for breakfast, but D. and I have each two raw chops smuggled in daily which we do for ourselves, and we also make our own tea. We also always have a cold ham in stock--Queenie must not think I am deceiving her about anything--I never felt as well in my life as when I wrote to tell her so the evening before I was taken ill, and next morning I woke with a hot head. At present I am getting all my food from the Governor's kitchen, and it is excellent. We hope by the row we are making to compel Government to make the food sufficiently good to satisfy the men and take expense of their keep off our resources. In future you had best brush any letters I write you to E. with No. 2 solution, as, unless you desire me not to do so, I will write you for the future alternately to E. and W. Place so as to save you the trouble and fatigue of going to London so often. ALWAYS YOUR OWN HUSBAND. _December_ 13, 1881. MY OWN QUEENIE,--Your two letters have reached me quite safely and are all right. I am quite well again now, and could go out were it not that the weather is so cold that the doctor does not think it prudent. {134} I hope my darling is well and has not been hurt by the anxiety. My mind has been in the utmost distress about my Wifie and her child all the week, and you do not know what a relief your telegram from London was. _December_ 14, 1881. MY DARLING QUEENIE,--Your second letter reached me all right, and I can read them perfectly. But, my darling, you frighten me dreadfully when you tell me that I am "surely killing" you and our child. I am quite well again now, my own, and was out to-day for a short time, and will take much better care of myself for the future. It was not the food, but a chill after over-heating myself at ball. But I do not intend to go back on prison fare, even nominally, again, as the announcement that we were on it has served the purpose of stimulating the subscription. Rather than that my beautiful Wifie should run any risk I will resign my seat, leave politics, and go away somewhere with my own Queenie, as soon as she wishes; will she come? Let me know, darling, in your next about this, whether it is safe for you that I should be kept here any longer. YOUR OWN HUSBAND. There can be no doubt we shall be released at opening of Parliament, but I think not sooner. Dr. K. was allowed to be with me at night while I was ill, and we are not to be changed from our rooms. _December_ 15, 1881. MY OWN DARLING QUEENIE,--Nothing in the world is worth the risk of any harm or injury to you. How could I ever live without my own Katie?--and if you are in danger, my darling, I will go to you at once.