I trust her feeling ill may not be from that unlucky
prick of the safety-pin. I looked at her throat
just now as she lay asleep, and the tiny wounds seem
not to have healed. They are still open, and,
if anything, larger than before, and the edges of
them are faintly white. They are like little
white dots with red centres. Unless they heal
within a day or two, I shall insist on the doctor seeing
about them.
17 August
“Dear Sirs,—Herewith please receive
invoice of goods sent by Great Northern Railway.
Same are to be delivered at Carfax, near Purfleet,
immediately on receipt at goods station King’s
Cross. The house is at present empty, but enclosed
please find keys, all of which are labelled.
“You will please deposit the boxes, fifty in
number, which form the consignment, in the partially
ruined building forming part of the house and marked
‘A’ on rough diagrams enclosed. Your
agent will easily recognize the locality, as it is
the ancient chapel of the mansion. The goods
leave by the train at 9:30 tonight, and will be due
at King’s Cross at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.
As our client wishes the delivery made as soon as
possible, we shall be obliged by your having teams
ready at King’s Cross at the time named and
forthwith conveying the goods to destination.
In order to obviate any delays possible through any
routine requirements as to payment in your departments,
we enclose cheque herewith for ten pounds, receipt
of which please acknowledge. Should the charge
be less than this amount, you can return balance,
if greater, we shall at once send cheque for difference
on hearing from you. You are to leave the keys
on coming away in the main hall of the house, where
the proprietor may get them on his entering the house
by means of his duplicate key.
“Pray do not take us as exceeding the bounds
of business courtesy in pressing you in all ways to
use the utmost expedition.
“We are, dear Sirs,
Faithfully yours,
Samuel F. Billington & son”
21 August.
“Dear Sirs,—We beg to acknowledge
10 pounds received and to return cheque of 1 pound,
17s, 9d, amount of overplus, as shown in receipted
account herewith. Goods are delivered in exact
accordance with instructions, and keys left in parcel
in main hall, as directed.
“We are, dear Sirs,
Yours respectfully,
Pro Carter, Paterson & Co.”
18 August.—I am happy today, and write
sitting on the seat in the churchyard. Lucy
is ever so much better. Last night she slept
well all night, and did not disturb me once.
