WCP39

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Jany. 28th. 1902

My dear Will¹

Your letters were just in time. I went off at once, and about half the footings had been dug, but seeing that they could be altered with advantage, I had the whole plan twisted round as shewn by the outline enclosed, which you can put on your plan. I had got quite tired of trying to get the best view, & altering the position several times. Then Ma² came & said where her window was to be (at end of Drawing room) [2] and I had fixed my end as far back as I thought I could go, & that decided the front & I let the back come as it would. As now altered my window comes rather farther off the orchard slope than I should like, and the drawing room end will be much raised above ground, & that was what kept it back before.

Ma came today by a later train & approved (as she did before!) so I hope it will be all right now. From my Study window the view [3] down the Orchard to Longfleet Church & the sea will be almost exactly at rt. [right] angles.

The water will be laid on Friday or Saturday & then we shall be ready to begin work. If we had had better weather & you had had more time at ‘Xmas, & we had marked it all out then, we might have saved this, but I do not think it could be much improved now.

Your affect. Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]