Part 31 (1/2)

71, _Warwick Road_. April 9, 1883.

DEAREST MARNY,

I write a line to tell you that D. was at S. Paul's yesterday afternoon to Evensong, and to hear Liddon preach.

I know you will like to hear how very gracefully he alluded to your poor friend as ”the accomplished Engineer,” and to Charrington and Palmer. Of the last--he spoke very feelingly--as to his great loss from the learning point of view. He said--or to this effect--”We laid them here last Friday in the faith of Him who died for their sins and ours, and this is the first Sunday when above their ashes we commemorate that Resurrection through which we hope that they and we shall rise again.” The ”Drum Band” was duly played after the service, and D. says that crowds remained to listen.

I know you will like to hear this, though I have given a bad second-hand account.

I hope my Goodman gets to Malta to-day or to-morrow!

Ever, dearest Marny, Your loving J.H.E.

TO A.E.

April 24, 1883.

... I sent you a telegram this morning to make you feel quite happy in your holiday. ”Real good times” (a Yankeeism I hate, but it is difficult to find its brief equivalent!) are not so common in ”this wale” that you should cut yours short. I rather hope this may be in time to catch you (it is not _my_ fault that you will be without letters). If you would like to linger longer--Do. You are not likely to find ”the like of” your present surroundings on leave in Scotland, least of all as to suns.h.i.+ne and flowers. One doesn't go to Malta every day. I wish I was there! But I can't be, and ten to one should catch typhoid where you only smell orange-blossoms, and I don't think my sins run in the Dog-in-the-manger line, and I hope you'll quaff your cup of content as deeply as you can.

For one thing winter has returned. We had snow yesterday, and the east wind, the Beast Wind! through which I went this morning to send your telegram was simply killing; dust like steel filings driving into your skin, waves of hard dust with dirty paper foam.--Ugh!!--Spend as much of your leave as you and your friends think well where you are. I've waited three years. I can wait an odd three weeks and welcome!

Especially as I am up to my eyes in packing and arranging matters for our new home. What I do hope is you will be happy _there_! But I believe in laying in happiness like caloric. A good roast keeps one warm a long time!

How often I have thought that philosophers who argue from the premiss of the fleeting nature of pleasure, might give pause if they had had my experience. A body so frail that _nearly_ every pleasure of the senses has had to be enjoyed chiefly after it had ”fleeted”--by the memory. Pictures (one of my chiefest pleasures), the theatre, any great sight, sound, or event, being a pleasure after they (and the _headache_!) have pa.s.sed away. The ”pa.s.sing pleasures” of life are just those which this world gives very capriciously, but cannot take away! They are possessions as real as ... marqueterie chairs! Of which--more anon,--when you return to the domestic hearth.

I had such a round in Wardour Street the other day! I do wish for a Dutch marqueterie chest of drawers with toilet gla.s.s attached, but he is 8! Too much. But (I _must_ let it out!) I got two charming Dutch marqueterie chairs for my drawing-room for 35/- each. You will be surprised to find what nice things we have!...

TO MRS. JELF.

_7, Mount Street, Taunton._ June 3, 1883.

DEAREST MARNY,

I know you forgive a long silence--especially as I have ”packed in spite of you ”!

I took lots of time over it all. All my ”remains” are piled in cases in the attics, and I have arranged ”terms” with the Great Western, and hope to do my moving very cheaply.

We had need economize somewhere, for, my dear! we have been VERY extravagant over our house!!! I should like to hear if you and your dear ladies (I know Auntie would be candid!) think we have been wisely so!--Our predecessor had a cottage and garden for 35--the Col. Commanding only paid 55--and we are paying 70!!!

It is a question of _three things_: 1st, higher and healthier situation--2nd, modern appliances and drains unconnected with the old town sewers--3rd, my Goodman took a wild fancy to the house--and picked his own den--and said he could ”live and be at peace” there: and this means life and death to _me_!

So we have boldly taken this other house! A mile _above_ the town--on high ground, built by one of the sanitary commission (!), brand new--and with a glorious view. Not a stick in the garden! but things grow fast here. I shall have a charming drawing room 24 feet long (so it will hold me!!!), with two quaint little fire-places with blue tiles. Rex has a very nice den with French doors into the garden, where he seems to hope to ”attain Nirwana”--and live apart from the world. Small as I am, I have an odd liking for large rooms (the oxygen partly--and partly that I ”quarterdeck” so when I am working--and suffer so in my spine and head from close heat). Now it is _very_ hot here. There's no doubt about it! So, on the whole, I hope we've done well to house ourselves as we have. And we _can_ give a comfortable bedroom to a friend! My dear Marny--you _must_ come and see me! It's really a quaint old town--with a rather foreign-looking cloistered ”Place”--and a curious Sat.u.r.day Market--with such nice red pottery on sale!!

Now to go back--and tell you about my Goodman. He had three weeks of ”real high time” in Malta. Then he came home--to Warwick Road. At first I thought him much _hot-climatized_, and was worried. But he is now looking as well as can be. We had a few very happy days at Ecclesfield. It is a most tender spot with me that he is so fond of my old home! They know his ways--he says he is at peace--and he rambles about among the old books--and the people in the village are so glad to see him--and it is very nice.