TALBOT297

Lacock Abbey

Thursday April 26.

My dear Henry

Your letter ¹ reporting your proceedings at Harrow ² yesterday has given me the greatest pleasure – and I hope that dear Charles ³ will be more comfortable than you seemed to expect – It must be a great point having a good head boy in the same House – and perhaps some little advantage to have the younger brother of the Head ⁴ in his own room – I am very glad you liked M^r Simpkinson ⁵ so well – and the beginning with a kind Tutor is a comfort, whatever may be Charles’s fate afterwards. – Today would be a formidable business for him – I suppose you will be informed of the result by M^r Simpkinson. –

Ela’s ⁶ love, and she thanks you for your affectionate message. We did not do anything particular in celebration of the day – I myself was quite knocked up with previous exertions & could only just managed to appear at dinner. My head is better today, but I am still far from rested – I don’t wonder you were tired also – it was such an early start – but I think you were quite right to get to Harrow early, while it was all quiet – I dare say Charles would be amused after your departure, by seeing all the boys arrive –

Your affectionate

Constance.

I wish, if the plate for engraving your Lion (for inserting into the books) is in London, at your engravers, that you would bring it down with you – I have never had half as many as I want, & we could get them struck off cheaper here –