Rome [Roma]. Thursday Dearest Mother. It is most kind of you to agree to my staying here and I want to tell you that I feel an awful beast about the dinner party. But at the same time I do think that another fortnight here will be of immense value to me. When I came to think things over, I considered that it would be an awful bore to go away for two months in the autumn and it is also possible that Delbrück and Eugénie might not be here in October and they both of them make an immense difference to the profitableness of being here - specially Delbrück who gives me from time to time just the lead I want. Even in this last week I have begun to get hold of things. Today I worked at architectural decoration all the morning, partly out of doors and partly in the German Institute where I went in to read for an hour before lunch.
In the afternoon I joined Miss van Demen at the Baths of Caracalla and worked at them all the afternoon. They are very difficult, and I have not got them quite straightened out yet, so I shall have another day at them tomorrow. I can't tell you what a delightful sensation it is to begin to understand these things. I feel so excited about them that I can scarcely bring myself to come in for lunch! I came back at 5 for Eugénie's lecture, a very good one and very helpful to me.

Yesterday I had a day off, for I had promised to go with Dr Ashby to see villas. Mme de Filippi took us in her motor, together with Miss van Demen, Mr Richmond and Mr Newton. It really wasn't much good as regards my job but it was heavenly as an outing. We went up into the Albane Hills [Albani, Colli] and saw some villas near Frascati. Then we crossed over to the Sabines [Sabini, Monti] and having lunched at the Frascati villa, we had tea at the great Ponte Lupo, a splendid acqueduct [sic] that strides across a valley in the Sabine Hills. It was all more incredibly beautiful than words can say, the ground covered with violets and anemones and periwinkles. We did not get in till 7. Mme de Filippi is really most kind and her motor is delightful.

Thank you so much for posting my camera. I do so very much want a shady hat and it's rather tiresome to begin buying things here, so if possible I wish Marie would put in my old green straw hat with mauve and green silk flowers with the other things that Sybil will perhaps kindly bring me. Marie will know the one I mean - the one that got wet and had to be restiffened. It won't matter much if it does come to grief as it is very old. I should also be much obliged if she would send me 2½ yards of each of the enclosed veils. I can't get any sensible veils here. Now that is all I want! Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude