Wed. Ardgowan, Greenock. Dearest Mother. The days slip past when one is staying with people without one's paying any particular attention to dates, and it was only yesterday evening when I took up a paper, that I realized it was your birthday. Many many warm if Bellated good wishes my dearest Mother. My host and hostess at Inveraray spoke often of you and said how much they had enjoyed having you and Father. I had a very pleasant visit there - the house full of nice but not very exciting people, soldiers and sailors mostly. Susan Lushington also. I like being there. Ivar was at home, very much improved by his months of Washington and very full of the charm of Springy whom the whole Embassy seems to love as he deserves.
Here the party is more interesting. Mr Elliot is here, Arthur and Margaret Stanley, an Asquith boy, the Lindleys (I don't know if you realize them, they are diplomats) and a troop of girls and boys. I have spent half the morning talking to Alice and Mr Elliot very agreeably. Arthur has got what I hope may be a safe seat in Derbyshire and is going off from here to his first meetings. The present man (a Liberal) is not going to stand again and the constituency has to be nursed until the general election.

I did not get Monday's letters before I left Inveraray, but they will come on here tomorrow.

I am coming home on Friday. I have not looked out my train yet but I don't expect I can arrive before 6.9 or 6.37. I'll telegraph tomorrow. Ever your affectionate daugther Gertrude