TALBOT1487

Dabton ¹
Thornhill

Jan 2^d 1877

My dear Papa,

You will not think it too late to wish you a very Happy New Year! and a great many of them – you will doubtless have heard from Rosamond ² at Carruchan – you know that Willie ³ is as well as possible – She returns to us tomorrow – we here are in expectation, waiting to see if any of the other children or I myself are likely to take the complaint – which, if they did so after the same fashion as Willie, would really be no disadvantage. John and Jack ⁴ went to Carruchan yesterday to spend New Year’s day – but the little girls were not at all dull – we invented various amusements, including the blowing of soap bubbles, and they declared that they had had a very happy day. – The weather changed very suddenly last night from mild & rainy to intense frost, which has continued throughout the day: it is very trying to the plants, & very trying to the people too – I hope you will not have too cold a journey home – I think you said you would sleep on the road? Can you foresee the day of your return yet? I hope after this long & very tedious waiting you will find all quite satisfactory at Lacock now.

With love to Mama & Ela, ⁵

your most affec^te daughter

Tilly