Seward House, Badsey
10th December 1896
My dear Kathleen
Father wrote to May last night & said I was to try & write to you before post-time, so I must try & do so, though it is very difficult to find time. We have been finishing the puddings today & have just got them on to boil & they will not be done till ten o’clock tonight; I must keep an eye to them & see that my very small maid does not let the fire get low or some such dreadful thing. Mary departed on Saturday & we have now got a child, younger than Ethel, so you may imagine it is all showing, as she has never been out before. I think altogether I prefer her to Mary, at any rate she looks clean & wholesome & her mother has fitted her out with suitable clothes, but of course she is much too young & I am afraid to let her carry heavy things; I had to go & call her yesterday, but this morning she heard the bell.
It was a pity you had your analysis returned & got so much lower, however I hope you will be higher this week & at any rate next term you will probably find the work easier. Fanny has a little girl, born last Friday, I went to see her on Monday & found her very comfortable, it is a nice little baby & very good. About twenty turned up at the Literary yesterday, notwithstanding the wretched weather; Mrs Savory & I played a duet together; there will not be another meeting till 13th January. I hope you will be able to come home on the Monday, but I rather expect you will have to wait on account of the little Du Prés, however it will not make many hours’ difference. I hope May gave you my thanks for your birthday letter & present to me last week. I do not seem to have any news for you today & am feeling rather tired, so you must excuse a short letter.
With much love to you both
Believe me
Your loving mother
Eugénie N. Sladden
