I think you will be pleased to hear that I did, what I have long wanted, yesterday.  Thoroughly made Mrs. Walkinshaw’s acquaintance, and thanked her for that old invitation we never accepted to go there to see the Chinnerys’ sketches.  How Scotch and kindly she is!  She insisted on bringing her husband and daughters to be introduced, and sent warmest messages to you.  She said she feared you must have quite forgotten her; but I told her she was quite wrong there!  She says she has a little Chinnery she meant to give me long ago, and she insists on sending it....

Sept. 1, 1882.

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I must tell you that I had such a mixture of pain and pleasure at Britwell in the nearest approach to Trouve I have ever known.  A larger dog, and not quite so “Moecent,” but in character and ways his living image.  The same place on his elbow (which his Aunt was always wanting to gum a bit of astrachan on to); he “took” to his Aunt at once! Nero by name.  The sweetest temper.  I have kissed the nice soft places on his black lips and shaken hands by the hour!!!  Yesterday the others went to a garden-party, so I went on to the Downs to sketch, and when the dogs saw me, off they came, Nero delighted, and little Punch the Pug.  They came with me all the way, and lay on the grass while I was sketching, and Nero kept sitting down to save a corner, and watch which way I meant to go, just like dear True! [Sketch.] They were very good, sitting with me on the downs, but they roamed away into the woods after game a good deal on the road home!...

Grenoside. Oct 5, 1882.

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I do so long to hear how you like the end of “Laetus.”  As F.S.’s tale turned out seven pages longer than was accounted for, I had to cut out some of my story, and so have missed the point of its being S. Martin’s Day on which Leonard died.  S. Martin was a soldier-saint, and the Tug-of-War Hymn is only sung on Saints’ Days.

I have completed a tale[42] for the November No., and gave a rough design to Andre for the illustration, which will be in colours.  I hope you will like that.  There is not a tear in it this time!  “Laetus” was too tragic!

[Footnote 42:  “Sunflowers and a Rushlight,” vol. xvi.]

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Will we or will we not have a Persian Puss in our new home by the name of—­Marjara?—­It is quite perfect!  Do Brahmans like cats?  I must have a tale about Marjara!!!—­

Karava is grand too!

        Oh Karava! 
        Oh the Crier! 
        Oh Karava! 
        Oh the Shouter! 
    Oh Karava, oh the Caller! 
    Very glossy are your feathers,
    Very thievish are your habits,
    Black and green and purple feathers,
    Bold and bad your depredations!!!

Doesn’t he sound like a fellow in Hiawatha?