Rounton Grange Tuesday Dearest Mother. Suppose we were anyhow to give Elsa's sitting room and the bedroom opposite mine to Florence's children. I know it is a bore their being so high up but it is only for a day or two. That would leave us 10 rooms; 2 for Elsa and Herbert, I hope. But I don't think it is a good plan to ask people to come on the 1st. I feel sure the girls would mostly drop out for that reason. Suppose we asked them to come on the 3rd, Monday, had our ball on Wed 5th, hunted on Thursday 6th and sent them away on the 7th. I hope Herbert might be able to manage this, but if he absolutely could not, I suggest that Elsa should stay on for another 2 days if she would or at least over the ball and we would fill up Herbert's place with Mr Darwin or someone in the district. At any rate we should have Herbert for the beginning of the party. I suggest asking
Nan Lyttelton

Rachel

Venetia

for girls.

Bill Phipps

Francis Henley

Mr H Otham (Elsa's man)

George Lloyd

Oliver Stanley - who won't be able to come, I should think, in which case we ought to ask Horace I think. That makes the necessary 8. I don't think myself that Imogen would be so good as any of the 3 girls I suggest. She belongs to quite a different set of people and the young men who will all know the girls I have put down won't know her, nor will she be at all intimate with the other girls.

I am not writing to Elsa as you will see her tomorrow and can talk over the suggestions with her. We certainly must not wait till Maurice comes back as that will be far too late.

If Herbert can't stay for the ball, Horace might fill up his place which leaves us room for a more interesting man, assuming that Oliver can't come.

Rachel is going to {America} Russia but I gather she will be back by the 3rd of Jan. Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude.