Castlet Cottage
May 10th Monday
My dear Henry
We propose making out our journey home in this way – To leave our Cottage on Monday next the 17th. Sleep at Windermere Hotel, and start by the 9ּ20 train on Tuesday morning – Sleep at Station Hotel Birmingham – start at 9ּ40 (Wednesday for Leamington – spend the morning there to see Mrs Shakespear and her children – and home by the Express – leaving Leamington at 3 ּ 8 & reaching Chippenham at 7ּ15. We shall have nearly one hour & half to wait at Didcot, but we cannot avoid this. – By this arrangement we stay three days over our fortnight at Keswick. –
Will you have the goodness to send me at your earliest convenience the money which is required for Journey and Expenses since leaving Edinburgh? Seventy Pounds will I hope be as much as I shall spend – but I cannot estimate my journey expenses correctly by the last journey from Lacock to Edinburgh, because I cannot call to mind whether or not we travelled by Express – which makes a considerable difference. But if you furnish me with £70 – I shall be under no anxiety – and could be assisted by Goodwin’s purse, in case of necessity – We continue to enjoy very splendid weather here, though it is a little colder today. – On Saturday last we spent the afternoon at Ormathwaite & drank tea with them at 6. – Friday we drive into Borrowdale in the Muirhouse carriage – but I dare say Ela has told you of all our engagements, – as she wrote to you yesterday – We have not had one letter from you since Edinburgh – pray write –
We are engaged to meet Mr & Mrs Pocklington <Sunhouse?> at Barrow on Wednesday evening. I am glad of this opportunity of renewing my old acquaintance with him, & being introduced to his Wife –
Your affectionate
Constance
Mrs Shakespear’s family are coming to Gale Cottage next Wednesday – We are to be introduced to them at Ormathwaite – and have another early tea on the occasion. –