Rounton Grange Sat 14. Dearest Mother. I was delighted by the tale of Father and the Professor - and indeed by all your doings, so vivaciously related by you both. The duchess of San T. has had a very highly coloured past I gather. You know when P. Teane married her daughter it was felt she really had to be there though she hadn't seen or spoken to her husband for years. So she came to Rome [Roma], lodged in someone else's house, appeared at the Colonna palace just in time for the wedding, received all the guests with Prince C. just as if nothing were, and left with the last of them. And the whole thing was done so well and with so much dignity by them both that no one laughed. Here is a letter of F.'s, I opened and read it thinking I might. Sir F.S. [Frank Swettenham] left yesterday and though he had been very very pleasant, I own I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw his dear[?] back. Sir Hugh B. [Barnes] came to lunch and he and I rode when Sir F. had gone. Now I've fallen to work again, for 2 days - I have to go to Alderley on Monday but I shall only stay 2 days. Miss Haldane asked me to come to them the week after but after a struggle I've refused. I am very sorry, but either I'm trying to be an archaeologist or I'm not trying and if I want to work I can't do other things and there's an end. I think the work is better fun in the end, and perhaps even in the process, and anyway that's what I mean to do. So I can't pay visits. I have to go to Alderley because of Eddie and the other must drop out. I've had exactly 5 uninterrupted days since you left! The new chauffeur is, emotionally, a success. We've carried off the gate at Mt Grace and broken the front door step, any little alteration in people's drives we are always ready to make. White comes back next week and I hope will teach him. Mr Jack and Mr Krüger are grappling with the shield. I think they will get it right. Mrs K. is a terrible lady. I went to see her the first day and observing some watercolours on the mantelpiece I remarked "Assisi." She replied "Italy! I left my heart there" and cast a melting black glance up to the ceiling. She didn't leave her heart there however, on the contrary it is giving her a great deal of trouble, poor thing. She sent round for a bottle of brandy for it yesterday and I sent Arthur with it, but when I went to see her later I found her as bright as a button. She went out in the victoria one afternoon - fortunately she has heart complaint too much to be able to come up and sit in the garden as I asked her to do.
The Barneses are shooting here today with Walter. I think they are happy. So am I. Your affectionate daughter Gertrude

Tell Father I loved the portrait of Him.

Mali has celebrated a new marriage.

Of course dear Mr Horner will be there on Oct 22!