I now have one coming from the North with an excellent character but she wants £45 a year. Isn’t it monstrous? The housemaid has been here for three weeks, but I wake several times every night and fancy I hear her making off. Life would be hardly worth living, under such circumstances, but for our friends. I hope your news is good. My own constant ailment does not show any improvement and if only I could feel any confidence about the house I should go to Buxton. I heard from a visitor at the Vicarage yesterday of another case of spinal trouble which seems very like your own. That too was the result of a fall. It was many years ago and the poor sufferer is still helpless; but we all hope better things for you.—Your sincerely loving friend, LOUISA _P.S._—My brother Claude has had another stroke. XCV ANTOINETTE ROSSITER TO HER MOTHER DEAREST MUMMIE,—I had a funny dream last night. I dreamt about you and me going to see the Queen and I had a hole in my stocking. The Queen didn’t see the hole but you made me cross by drawing attention to it and apologizing. I said to the Queen, “I suppose you never wear the same stockings again, Queen Mary,” and she said, laughing, “Oh, yes, I do but you mustn’t call me Queen Mary, you must call me Ma’am.” Wasn’t it funny? When you come home you will find new curtains in the drawing-room which Daddy has had put up for a surprise for you. I oughtn’t to have told you, but you must pretend you didn’t know and be tremendously excited. My cold has gone. I used four handkerchiefs a day.—Your very loving TONY x x x x x XCVI ROY BARRANCE TO VERENA RABY _Dear Aunt Verena_,—I am feeling very run down and depressed, because my star has set. What I mean is that Margot has gone. Her people have taken a place in Scotland and of course she had to go too. As I believe I told you, she never intends to marry, but all the same she was a jolly good sort and we had some topping walks together. We used to go to the Zoo too, and as her father is a Fellow all the keepers know her and show her the special things. Being cooped up in London is rotten and I wondered if I might come to you for a few days for some country air and perhaps cheer you up a bit. You must be very dull lying there all the time with nothing but women about you. I should be out most of the day, and I daresay there are some people to play tennis with and a golf course not too far off. Margot has been to Herefordshire and she says it’s ripping, and what she doesn’t know about the country isn’t worth knowing. Of course if all this bores you, you’ll say so, won’t you?—Your affectionate nephew, ROY _P.S._—I haven’t seen Stella since that awful Elysian business. XCVII RICHARD HAVEN TO VERENA RABY