Sunday Sep 11. Newbiggin Hall, Westmorland. Dearest Mother. I am so glad you like the paperknife. I think it is rather a dear. I arrived yesterday and was most wrmly welcomed. The Ilbert girls are the only other guests - I like them, especially Olive who is so pretty and, I think, so attractive. We all went for a picnic yesterday with some dull neighbours. Mrs C. and I had a long talk. They are much pleased about Dayrell's engagement. The girl sounds charming and the photographs of her are delightful. I believe they are to be married next month in Spain. Dayrell is going to become a Catholic, so that there are no religious difficulties. I'm not sure his people like this much, however. Oliver is much the same as ever; rather improved on the whole. Mr C. is entirely absorbed by his new electric light. As a matter of fact the house is really darker than it was before, because Mr C. is so terrified lest he should run through his store of electricity untimely of an evening, that every light is at once turned off the moment you have finished reading by it! It's very nice in the bedrooms where, removed from the eye of your host, you can burn it as long as you like! I travelled with Lady Milbank and Miss M. from Darlington to Barnard Castle. What an old dear she is! in fact I like all those long women so much. Lady Dale was seeing them off. Victor Cavendish was also in the train. We discussed the Lascelles plans.
I think, as you say, it would be a pity to leave Spean Bridge before the end of the month as it would certainly cut Papa's holiday short. And if you don't mind being there, there is really no object in not letting him take as long a holiday as he will. At the same time, I wish things had turned out so that you had been at home when the N.G.s [Norman Grosvenors[?]] came. They would have been more amused. Please thank Elsa for her long and most interesting letter. I am glad the Ben Nevis expedition was such a success. It is warm and wet here today. The Ilberts leave tomorrow. Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude