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Newton Castle

October 3rd 1913

My dear John, I think I must call you that if
you don't mind, & if you will call me Isla.
Thankyou so very much for sending me your
new book, it looks so interesting & I shall
love to read it. Nan sent me a
copy of the verses some time ago and I do
like them so much.

Sheila and I never, I think, played Montrose.
Sheila was always Robert the Bruce - &
me she allotted the parts of "small band of
trusty followers" - or The Good Lord James of Douglas.
I was extremely biddable, but even I wd never
be the English, so the foxgloves (my mother's
great pride) that grew round the tennis court
were pressed into service & suffered many things.
The dandy wallahs built us a bamboo hut
that became Scone palace, or a cave on the hill-
side, & we rode into battle on the most