<crest MCG>

Carruchan Dumfries

Oct. 20^th/68

My dear Papa,

I think you will like to have a little note from me now, to tell you how I have been getting on. I have been down stairs once, (yesterday) to the drawing-room, & walked both up & down the stairs – so I think I may be considered to be almost on my feet again – I do not think I made quite such rapid progress towards recovery as usual at first, though I had no drawbacks – but I think this was owing to the disappointment & all – but during the last week I have got on very well indeed – & if the weather was milder, I should soon hope to get out for a little drive. The last three days have been bitterly cold, like the middle of winter – & all the flowers are killed – John is gone to Kirkcudbright today to see a gardener as we are parting with ours next month. I hope the new one will be an improvement on his predecessor. –

Love to Charles, if he is with you – I have heard from Venice during the past week, & have written to them myself since the two letters that John wrote – I hope the state of the roads may ennable <sic> them to move soon –

I never acknowledged a box which Goodwin sent here a short time before I was taken ill – but I think he would like to know that it arrived quite safely.

Your most affec^te daughter

Tilly