95 Sloane Street Monday. Dearest Mother. I left R'ton [Rounton] this morning in beautiful bright weather, the frost and the wind gone, and found ankle deep in half frozen slush. It was very nice, being there; I'm glad I went. I liked having those 2 days with Aunt Florence. But one misses Grandpapa strangely - I keep watching for him to come downstairs and looking for him in the hall and getting out of his chair at tea time. And though I liked being there I'm glad I'm not going to see it again in the transition stage. It is very sad to see them tearing up their papers and moving out their things. But I really believe Aunt Florence likes it in a way - at least she knows she will like it after a bit. She has rather a pathetic look about it all now.
I flew off to see Nina as soon as I arrived - she is going back to Berlin tomorrow. She says Florence is looking so well - so happy that she is quite a different person. Dr Rosen started off for Abyssinia in a transport of joy - like a child going on an outing. He is to be away about 3 months. He is in high favour with the Emperor who quotes him right and left; Rosen hat es mir gesagt. I am glad he has got on so well. It's a great satisfaction when the right person come to the top. Then I dined with Domnul and I have just come in. He seems to have had a very successful time with the President and to have enjoyed it. He comes back much impressed with the States and Americans. He says too that public opinion there is very hotly Japanese and won't hear of the possiblity of their not winning "I won't waste time discussing that" said the President. Domnul read me letters of Morrison's which emphatically deny all that James said to Hugo and me.

He is also much thrilled to hear that Elsa and Father might be going a sea journey in February and says if that came off may he come too. He asked me anxiously if Father would mind if he came as far as Sicily and I replied that I was sure he wd be a great addition on board ship. But I told him that Father's plans were quite vague.

I will send him a little map to illustrate where I want electric lights in my rooms. The papers can remain as they are. They are quite nice - the school room very nice indeed - and I like them very much. So there is nothing to alter in my rooms and that's a good thing.

I'll write tomorrow about addresses - I'm rather sleepy now.

Port Arthur! banzai! Didn't you think Togo's speech to the spirits of the dead very fine and simple? Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude

Domnul had a telegram from Hayashi while I was there thanking him for his kind congratulations. I said it must be from Hayashi and he said Oh no! and when he opened it, it was. I long to hear how you prosper. I send Father's letter to Aunt F. this morning.