X953/2/12/2

Letter to Mary from her sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie).

n.d. [c.1868]

From: 1868 To: 1868

Written at Littleton [Reigate, Surrey], ‘Monday evening’. ... I thought you very long in answering my last; I quite thought when I wrote to tell you the trouble I was in with dear Ma[r?]y Lizzie I should have had a note by return of sympathy. I do wish you had a better memory. However, now she is pretty well again, goes in her carriage as usual and the last few days has had a walk, or run in the garden after she came out. It is such a comfort to see her well. Today we have had our monthly wash, nearly every thing dry and ready for mangling iron[?]. It was a pouring rain last night from six o’clock. I walked to and from Reigate in it as the [illeg.; possibly ‘deliverance’?] was in evening[?]. I have not been twice for a long time. I felt so fidgety[?] I could hardly sit still. I wish I was as near as you; I feel it a long walk now. About January[?] quite the end I feel pretty certain of a slight you know what. I am much better than I was at Draughton, only I am ready to scream sometimes with the drawing[?] sensation in my thigh, the right -- just as it was before. I have made two new nightgowns[?] and trimmed the others again, etc.-- am now making new wristbands to Hugh’s shirts, shall commence again when I have finished them. Mrs. Abbott[?] came to see me last Wednesday. I met her on the Heath. Mr.[?] Count[?] fetched her home as Mr. A. has been poorly lately. I went up to tea with Mr. Count[?] on Friday called on Mrs. Abbott[?] before I went there and she accompanied me. His house is nice but he seems dull I think; inquired[?] when you were coming and I am to be sure and take you up. I told him I would if we could drive; rather a brave[? poss. broad?] hint was it not? He said she can walk, can’t she; she is altered else. I said no more fearing I should make bad worse. Mrs. A. is going with me shopping I think on Wednesday. I am going to make myself a Garibaldi [a ladies’ looser-fitting blouse with generous sleeves]-- for ladies are quite too straight nowadays. I had a kind note from Annie the other day acknowledging the cartes [probably photographic cartes de visites] I sent her one of Susannah[?] and myself and baby. I also had a long epistle from Miss Bell; she declined giving me anything for the chapel. I am not surprised to hear of Mr.[?] Sparrow. I cannot think how they can make so much of people on so little real knowledge of them. Well now about nurse. I wrote to Mrs. Langlands[?] Mr. L. replied telling me their[s?] always gave satisfaction and lives [?] in Reigate. She can wait upon me and seems a pleasant woman. Her terms are high[?] 3 guineas so I am going to call again and ask her if she is particular what she does or to that effect. I am sorry I have no means of seeing Mrs. Langlands[?] to know particulars. Hugh is rather poorly with a cold so is not attending a special committee meeting tonight. I do hope Mama’s leg is better by now; I hope to hear tomorrow. I hope she will be careful of it in future; it seems to have been a bad[?] wound and much inflamed. I hope to hear Deborah is coming very soon so that you can come and see me. Hugh must fetch you home[?] I do count of [sic] it so be quick. I have nothing else to anticipate till I am[? poss. ‘Jan.’?] you know. Well I really think I have emptied my budget[?] Accept much love from us both and kisses from little niece for you and yours and believe me your loving sis....

item

Abbott,
Bell, Margaret Ann,
Langlands,
Sanders, Mary,
Welford, Elizabeth,
Welford, Hugh,
Welford, Mary Elizabeth,
Wiggins

Reigate [Surrey], family correspondence, clothing, pregnancy