April 2nd. Red Barns Coatham, Redcar. Dearest Mother mine. I have just returned from Clarence where I found only a few Mothers, but some very agreeable ladies amongst them. I read them Barbara Tthwaite by which they were much moved. Mrs Milburn said she had read in one of the papers that it was a story of yours, so I confessed it was to their great interest. I told them I proposed reading them Will o' the Wisp. I walked back with a very friendly lady - I wonder who she was, she lives in the New Cottages and only comes up to the other end of Clarence for the Mothers' Meetings and for confinements! She talked to me all the way and at the end introduced me to her new curate whom we met! I don't know what his name is; I was so overcome by amusement that I scarcely had presence of mind enough to think of something to say. At Middlesbrough station I met Lottie, Ethel and Miss Rendall a sister of the new Mrs Gladstone's who were on their way from Falmouth to Hutton. I am going there to lunch on Saturday. Ethel seized [sic] on the Woman's World and carried it off with her. I was very glad to meet them for I had a good long time to wait. In my carriage was M. Pourcel extremely polite and full of conversation. He and Madame Pourcel are going to America perhaps - that would be agreeable wouldn't it! For me I mean if I went.
Elsa's cambric frock is quite charming. It fits her perfectly and is most becoming. I never saw her look so bewitching - and so grown up too!

I have got Princess Lieven you will be glad to hear. Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude.