| Description | His letters of 7-8 and 11 January have arrived and she was disappointed to read of his continued money problem. She was at church yesterday, trying not to be irritated at Mr Little's 'pompous emptiness' and a stolid hymn. Colonel and Mrs [John Penrose] Coode attended, having been at Holmes's Hotel, and they intend to return to England in six months' time. She notes having the Jacksons to dinner, when they admired the tree fern grove. She had lunch with the Stevensons on Friday. Mary believes it desirable to associate with 'one's equals' from time to time. She remarks on the Stevenson's 'excellent' kitchen garden, their hospitality, a drive home, and the loan of a book of ferns collected by 'an enlightened sergeant at Willington'. She has identified thirty of eight-four specimens. The sergeant's collection is not perfect, and she discusses this. Esther is assisting with Mary's collection and she hopes that John will help her to make a book of ferns. She asks what errors John is trying to correct in his new system. Her discussion of his reading of 'Marian Rooke' [by Henry Sedley] leads her to write of a case where all contact had ceased between two lovers, and where the woman concerned did not demand an explanation. Mary has tried a scheme for a novel which did not work out, and may attempt a short story. She notes some words that she has been chasing the meaning of. She has heard from Emma [Herschel] at last, but will not send the letter, distrusting John's comments. |