Part 35 (2/2)

I am not fit to write yet--my head _goes_ so--but I will write you next week about Gordon Browne (a thousand thanks!) and see if _I_ possibly could. Thank you so much.

The drummer's letter is charming. I must copy the bit about tip-toe for Sir Evelyn Wood! I got the enclosed from him--also from Wady Halfa--and I wanted you and R---- to hear the weird drum-band drunkard tale! and see how he likes ”Soldier's Children.”

Can you kindly return it, dear?

Your most loving, J.H.E.

[_In pencil._]

Where does R---- sail from?

I see by to-day's _Times_ the others have sailed from Dartmouth. My dear Marny--can't you and R---- come here _en route_ if only for a night? It _would_ be so nice! It would be such a pleasure to Rex and me to G.o.dspeed him--and he would feel _quite like Gladstone_ if he had an ovation at every stopping point on the Flying Dutchman!

TO COLONEL JELF.

November 18, 1884.

DEAR RICHARD,

I wish you _could_ have paused here--I wish that you were even likely to run through Taunton station in the Flying Dutchman, and that we could have run down to head a cheer for you!--But Gravesend is handier for Marny.

She's a real Briton--and it is that ”undaunted mettle” that does ”compose” the sinews of ”peace with honour” for a country as well as war!

Indeed I'm glad you have your chance--or make a very respectable a.s.sumption of that _virtus_! and I take leave to be doubly glad that it is in a fine climate and with good shoulder to shoulder comrades.

Tell Marny, Colonel Y. B---- in a letter about ”Daddy Darwin” is very sympathetic. Another ”old standard”--Jelf, he says--is going, and ”Mrs. J---- puts a good face on it.”

What will the theatricals and the Inst.i.tute do?--

”Do without,” I suppose! I am a lot better the last two days--and struggled off to the town to-day to a missionary meeting! It was a most unusually interesting one about the South American Missions. I must tell Marny about it.--However--at some tea afterwards, I was ”interviewed” by one or two people--and one lady asked to introduce a ”Major”--whose name I did not catch--as being so devoted to ”Soldier's Children.” I created quite a sensation by saying that ”Old Father” was ordered to Bechua.n.a.land--”Oh, how old are the Queers? Are they really losing Old Father again so soon?”

I feel, by the bye, that it is part of that fatality which besets you and me, that I should have stereotyped you in printers' ink as _Old_ Father!!!

Good-bye.--G.o.dspeed and Good luck to you.

Your affectionate old friend, J.H.E.

TO THE REV. J. GOING.

December 3, 1884.

DEAR ”HEAD GARDENER,”

I think there is a blessing on all your benevolences to me which defies ill luck!

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