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76, PORTLAND PLACE, W.
Nov: 25: 12
My darling wee body
I have now been more than a week in bed and am very sick of it & of my loathsome foot. I have had no pain for several days, so I think I shall soon be quite cured. It will be a great pleasure to see you to-morrow - I needn't tell you that - but I only hope for your sake it is not too soon to come away & that the going back to Peebles won't be too hard for you. Will you bring all the photos of Willie
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you can lay your hand on, for I think I have found a really good miniaturist to do one for you. I send you a letter that came for the dear laddie. His loss doesn't get any easier to bear. Every morning I wake to the awful blank, & what it must be for you, poor wee body, & for old Nan I can't think.
I am getting on pretty well with 'Montrose' in bed & get my business
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letters done every day. This is Johnnie's birthday. He is a stalwart & violent wee laddie & very well. He seems to have the resolute will of an Iron Duke.
Monypenny, who is writing Disraeli's life, died yesterday in a nursing home. It is very sad for he was just in the middle of his big work, & very successful. God is surely getting a lot of good folk to Himself just now.
I wonder if Nan is trying to
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write the Glasgow book. It would be an occupation for her if she could manage it. My thoughts are a great deal with the poor lassie.
Things look very serious on the Continent just now. I hope Austria & Russia will not go to war. Lady Ferguson came to see Susie yesterday. She is a kind well-meaning Lady.
Much love, my own Mother
Your loving son
John
