nton._
June 3, 1883.

DEAREST MARNY,

I know you forgive a long silence--especially as I have "packed in
spite of you "!

* * * * *

I took lots of time over it all. All my "remains" are piled in cases
in the attics, and I have arranged "terms" with the Great Western, and
hope to do my moving very cheaply.

We had need economize somewhere, for, my dear! we have been
VERY extravagant over our house!!! I should like to hear if
you and your dear ladies (I know Auntie would be candid!) think we
have been wisely so!--Our predecessor had a cottage and garden for
L35--the Col. Commanding only paid L55--and we are paying L70!!!

It is a question of _three things_: 1st, higher and healthier
situation--2nd, modern appliances and drains unconnected with the old
town sewers--3rd, my Goodman took a wild fancy to the house--and
picked his own den--and said he could "live and be at peace" there:
and this means life and death to _me_!

So we have boldly taken this other house! A mile _above_ the town--on
high ground, built by one of the sanitary commission (!), brand
new--and with a glorious view. Not a stick in the garden! but things
grow fast here. I shall have a charming drawing room 24 feet long (so
it will hold me!!!), with two quaint little fire-places with blue
tiles. Rex has a very nice den with French doors into the garden,
where he seems to hope to "attain Nirwana"--and live apart from the
world. Small as I am, I have an odd liking for large rooms (the oxygen
partly--and partly that I "quarterdeck" so when I am working--and
suffer so in my spine and head from close heat). Now it is _very_ hot
here. There's no doubt about it! So, on the whole, I hope we've done
well to house ourselves as we have. And we _can_ give a comfortable
bedroom to a friend! My dear Marny--you _must_ come and see me! It's
really a quaint old town--with a rather foreign-looking cloistered
"Place"--and a curious Saturday Market--with such nice red pottery on
sale!!

Now to go back--and tell you about my Goodman. He had three weeks of
"real high time" in Malta. Then he came home--to Warwick Road. At
first I thought him much _hot-climatized_, and was worried. But he is
now looking as well as can be. We had a few very happy days at
Ecclesfield. It is a most tender spot with me that he is so fond of my
old home! They know his ways--he says he is at peace--and he rambles
about among the old books--and the people in