Gloucester House
Surbiton
22nd December 1884
My dearest Julius,
I was glad to hear of your safe arrival & that you were feeling better. I am getting on nicely & think I shall be allowed on the sofa on Wednesday. Polly & Kitty came over today, the latter sent you a kiss & hoped you were very well; she was such a dear little thing & chattered away as if she had lived here all her life, Fanny was quite pleased with her.
I think I told you Papa came here after all, so we are quite a house full; he seems wonderfully well & cheerful, Fanny-Joe says the thoughts of this visit has quite cheered him up. She gives but a poor account of Joe, I fear he is following in the steps of poor Tom & Ned.
I hope all are well at Ash, give my love to them; I heard from Phillis today with good news of the children. Fanny’s head has been rather troublesome today & yesterday, but in other ways she is better.
Give my best love to Miss Hougham when you see her & to all friends with best wishes for Xmas. And now darling, with much love,
Believe me
Your affect wife
Eugénie N Sladden
