Speddoch Tuesday Aug. 14th
My dear Papa,
You will have seen by Mama’s letter to Ela yesterday that our resolution to go on Wednesday was upset by poor Tilly’s great wish to keep us a little while longer, and as of course we would not do any thing in the world to vex or disturb her just now, we immediately yielded and resolved to wait a little before mentioning the subject again. If it was not the fear of that you must be wanting us home, and some scruples too about remaining here so long and so many of us, of course we should be very happy to stay a short time more and see her recovering day by day so wonderfully fast and well, that each time Dr Chalmers see hers <sic> he expresses his surprise at the progress she is making.
The whole thing now appears like a terrible dream, so that at first we hardly dared believe in her rapid recovery and can still scarcely think or talk of anything else. At this moment she is lying on the sofa in her room for half an hour; while they settle her bed – enjoying some jelly and biscuits – And her appetite is coming back so fast that she would eat all day long if she was allowed, and is looking forward with great pleasure to having some grouse broth and a few grapes tomorrow!
If it was not for the loss of her hair and that she is of course looking pale, on could hardly believe she had been ill at all – and only think it but was but this day week that Mama was summoned so hastily – truly it is nothing short of miraculous!
You cannot think how much interest the whole county has shewn in her illness and what numbers of inquiries have been pouring in daily. The Duchess of Buccleugh wrote to Mrs Maxwell to ask if she could be of any use, even offering to come and take care of her if Mama was not arrived! Yesterday the first of Grouse shooting; Mr Clark was out 3 hours and shot 18 brace – which was very well considering they are not numerous this year – and the weather was very lovely; which is rare on that particular day, and seems likely to continue so. The heather is coming out, and the whole country looks as pretty as possible.
The post has just brought me your letter dear Papa, and we are much amused by the old Vittoria letters turning up, and another time we will remember to put the direction more wisely.
Please ask Ela to give those books to the little Shakespears, and to write their names inside, and that they are from Ela and me, as I suppose she wishes to join. She knows which is for which: Tennyson for Hope, The Daisy chain for Helen, and the other for little Aleck – she has a cross for Agnes. And tell them I am sorry not to be able to see them and give it them myself. We are very glad of so good an account of Charles, but I think Mama would believe in it more fully if he could summon resolution to write her a few lines himself.
The post man ca’nt be kept any longer so I can add our love to Ela and Charles. Believe dear Papa your affectionate daughter
Rosamond
Mama thanks Ela for her letter.