Rounton Grange Sep 8 My dearest Mother. Many many happy returns of the day. Your birthday present awaits you here; it's too big to send. I hope you will have a nice treat; perhaps Elsa will let you order your dinner, as we used to do.
I'm perfectly well, but dreadfully overwhelmed with work, partly created, I need scarcely say, by Sir William! I'm going to drive it out of my head this afternoon by going for a walk in the rain.

Mr Thompson came over yesterday to see the rock garden and brought with him a very charming Mrs Meysey Thompson. Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude

Kiss Mary for me please