Tuesday. Red Barns Coatham, Redcar. Dearest Mother. I am sorry I opened this, I thought it was a receipt for one of the bills I sent - they all came today. Meantime I congratulate you. It was delightful having Papa yesterday evening, but I was haunted by vague fears that something would happen to him after he left! However I soon went to shop and forgot them. I made some bread today after the history lesson - I hope it will be good. In the afternoon I went with the children and Miss T. [Thomson] to buy some bowls and plates for their cooking after which Marie and I went for a long walk, nearly to Marske by the sands, then turning inwards. We came back by the road. It is very cold today and is freezing now on the ground, all the puddles on the road were coated with ice as I came home. What a bore it will be if you have very cold weather in Paris. There was great excitement today when the crab was found. The little girls were half inclined to lament his untimely death until they thought of burying him in the cemetery which was accordingly done. I wonder how your at home is going? Yours Gertrude.