Rounton Grange Aug 18 Dearest Mother. Our hearts are wrung when we think of you today! It's as cold as winter, blowing and raining. I gather from your telegram that you did not motor but went to Oxford by train. Elsa has gone to R'car [Redcar] today and Sylvia and I have been walking in the rain. We had a very successful expedition to the Chaloners yesterday. The garden looked lovely and Valda was amused I think. I believe there was something you told me to do today, but anyhow the weather would have prevented anything out of doors.
Will you let me tell Yarrow to make a properly closed chest for the blankets? Anyway that chest on the landing is far too small, I find, to hold all the blankets out of use in the summer. Mrs Shand says she has spoken to you of this. Your affectionate daughter Gertrude