TALBOT1577

Dabton ¹
Thornhill

February 9^th 1877

My dear Papa,

Rosamond ² & I were each intending to write to you, to wish you many happy returns of your birthday (on the morning of which you should receive this letter) & we have settled that I should, as she wrote last, do so for both of us – John ³ also & the children join in all the most affectionate wishes for the day, and I hope it will be a nice sunny & springlike one! – Rosamond is rather disappointed I think at not having been able to be with you by that day: but you are expecting to see her soon & I hope you will find that she is looking the better for her sojourn here. though she has been so much shut up in the house lately. Today she ventured a solitary walk into Thornhill & came back rather wet, as it had begun to rain heavily – but she had her waterproof & umbrella & so did not mind. I wish we could have a little fine dry weather for a change & then we, the rest of the convalescents could get out. John says he can easily get a fresh impression of the seal, which he will send – his own idea was that it was not very ancient – I am delighted with the bountiful supply of eggs & also with the drake who arrived looking quite fresh & brisk after his long journey –

With much love to you all, especially to yourself, I am

y^r most affect daughter

Tilly