WCP11

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset

March 8^th. 1891

My dear Will

At length the carpenter & plumber have retired, and we are left with the painters & layers to be followed by the paperlayers, — and then the floor-cloth layers, and the illustrious Rogers to to fit blinds & curtain holes & then we can put down our new carpets & move our furniture, and, get straight! Now if we allow a week for each of these operations which seems probable we can [2] hardly be quite straight till April 1^st.

The woodwork of the greenhouse is finished but it has to be glosed & painted two coats more, & as there are 22 sashes in it besides a door and an end it will of course take more time. Yesterday Mrs. Swans of Witley came to Bournemouth & sent me a lot of plants for the greenhouse which I was all day potting & have to keep them in the breakfast room till the Greenhouse is ready.

I do not know when the reptiles are fed or what are the rules [3] for seeing them. I believe it is once a week only & I think Friday or Saturday afternoon. I enclose a card which will probably admit you, but the best way will be for you to go first & make enquiries, & then if any other forms or ceremonies are required we can sit upon the former & stand on the latter, as the law directs.

So no more at present from your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace — [signature]