WCP324

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

June 29th. 1899

My dear Violet

Your letter seems to have crossed mine with Will’s¹.

If the people want you to stay it seems a pity to leave, and as I suppose the place is growing the school will grow too. The best way will be to tell the three people who want you to stay, that you will do so under a suitable agreement. Ask them to call a meeting of all the parents of the children at school in order to see who will be the guarantors of your Salary and the other expenses. Then they must appoint a chairman or Secretary to represent them who will be responsible to you; and that you must have a proper agreement, on stamped paper, signed by him, to guara pay you £100 a year quarterly [2] in advance — (you can quote Liverpool for this), and also will provide school-room and all necessary school-appliances.

If they mean business they will agree to this — if not chuck it at once. Why should not they build a room like Miss Chant’s² Studio, on their own ground? It will always be useful.

We all think £.12 a term quite moderate for a small child, with schooling.

As this is a matter of pure business you must speak quite plainly to them all, say that what you ask is the minimum [3] you can take, and that the payment in advance is to save all possibility of uncertainty or unpleasantness as to money—matters. When agreed to, no doubt ^{Mr. Pease} will write the form of Agreement, if not I will.

I send you a box of frogbit & a little Villarsin.

If you go on by yourself do not go to East Grimstead too. Much better to get one or two child-boarders.

Be sure you stick to payment in advance. Then, if any quarter it is not paid punctually on the [4] quarter ^day you simply give them notice that you leave at the end of the term.

Let them know, now, that if ever you have to ask for our money you will give it up, & that that is the reason you insist on having it in advance. If they are in earnest they will see the reasonableness of this. If they do not, then look out at once for something else.

You can show this letter to Mrs. Pease if you like.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]