Monday 95 Sloane Street. Dearest Mother. About the childrens' flower gowns - we finally decided that the cheapest and best thing we cd do was to trim the gowns with field flowers (artificial of course), buttercups, daisies and forget me nots. We have put a sort of ruche of tulle round the bottom of the skirt with little bunches of flowers tucked into it and hung flowers from the neck and from the waist in little streams - on the whole I think this plan has made as much show as possible for as little money and the dresses look quite charming, in their foolish way. Lizzie bought everything at Peter Jones' and had it all put down to Grandmamma, so you may either send the money to her, or to Lizzie who would pay the bills and have them crossed off Grandmamma's account. Here they are. I hope I have done right about it - the children were extremely anxious to have their gowns very flowery; Elsa was inclined to think that they didn't look flowery enough as it was, but we all assured her they were very nice and I really think 15/ is enough to have spent on this absurd amusement.
I was so glad to have Papa's delightful long letter - I will go about recommending his cottage. I went to the Musee on my bicycle this morning and read some rather interesting things. I enjoy it awfully. After lunch I had to go up to the London L. and when I came home again I jumped onto my bicycle and went down to see Charlotte. She gives a very bad account of Nina. She has never stopped having abcesses ever since the babies were born and has lately had erysipelas into the bargain! They had to have 2 wet nurses one of whom has just left and when Dr Rosen last wrote the deserted baby had been crying 3 days without stoping [sic] (as Molly would say) and he (Dr R.) was the only person who had time to feed it, poor little wretch! Nina can't use her right arm at all because of abcesses - doesn't it sound miserable! However Charlotte tells the whole story in her usual cheerful tone, so I suppose they don't think it half as horrid as we should; at any rate Dr Rosen and Nina never cease congratulating themselves that they are blessed with two sons instead of one!

I chuckled with delight when I saw how cross the German papers were because Friday's debate passed off so quietly. I thought they would rage and flew to my Times this morning to find that my best hopes were realised.

Billy and I had a long talk about the prospects of war yesterday. He hears everyone saying that 100,000 men are to be sent to the Soudan this autumn, and that nothing will be done by the Egyptian troops till they come except laying the railway and generally preparing the road. He expects to be ordered out directly after the autumn manoeuvres, that is at the end of August. It's rather horrid. However don't say anything about it, will you not? for I don't believe Aunt Mary quite realises how near it is and they haven't suspected here that there is any chance of it - and anyway it may not happen after all and it's no good alarming people beforehand for no cause! Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude