Dabton
Thornhill
Jan 10th 1868
My dear Papa,
I am really quite ashamed of myself at having allowed two posts to pass before thanking you for the two beautiful brackets which you sent me, & which arrived quite safe – I feel quite overwhelmed at having so many pretty ornaments I am afraid you have kept none for yourself which is not fair! but I can scarcely bring myself to scold you, as I am so much the gainer! the drawing room looks quite like another apartment now that it has all the beautiful carving in it! Charles left this morning I gave him the nine shillings for Mama, which were forgotten, & he will give them to you. He hopes you did not deprive yourself of Goodwin on his account for I had undertaken a message from him to that effect – but did not consider that unless I wrote the day your letter came, it would be too late – However, he thought that as you heard nothing from him you wd take Goodwin with you, which I hope is the case. Many thanks for sending me Mama’s letter to read. I return it in this one They appear to have had a rather dreary New Year. I have had a letter from Mamie since – in which she gives a pretty favourable account of the whole party –
The children send love & Kisses to Grandpapa, & “Tot” was extremely proud of the message you sent him
Your affecte daughter
Tilly
John writes now that he intends to leave London tonight, & be here tomorrow evening – as he will stay some hours in Dumfries on the way.