SD1755. Henrietta Cook to William Surtees Cook
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 370 (in part).
[Taunton]
June 10th [1854]
My beloved Surtees
How kind of you to write yesterday. I really did not expect it, knowing how you would be occupied, thank you a thousand times, & for your enclosure yesterday by Mr Dyer—we were very thankful to know you were safe—there are not words to say how much we miss you!!!! Altham in his prayer last night prayed that God might bring Papa safe home, and burst into tears—in the middle of the night he awoke & asked for you, & again the first thing when he awoke this morng. “Where is Papa?” Your other child is not forgetful of you either, for she looked ready to cry when I told her this morng you were not come home– Dearest Mrs Cook was better yesterday, but I am sorry to say not well today– She complains of great weakness when she moves, however she has been breakfasting with me in the dining room, & talks of going out a little– We are both very pleased at the chance of the lodging money instead of the barracks– I only hope you may have good news about the P.M. No! When I am with you again, I shall not care, all will be well. I send you a letter from Arabel you may like to read it, she enclosed one from Ba, which she desires me to send by return of post, back to her, so you could not have it– Pennini has been ill, but is better again. The other letter enclosed from Mr Surtees will shew you our chances about the house—there are no other applications Mrs Charlewood says in her note & Mr Surtees which I must return to him “I think Capt. Cook’s house very likely to rent us, but we could not promise to take it, until John knows his fate, which he expects to do now, in two or three weeks, or perhaps less.” As they come to see the house on Monday, I am going to have the windows cleaned tomorrow, that we may look to advantage—the pane of glass was put in in the dining room yesterday & now Mr Morgan (superintended by Altham) is putting the plants in the garden– So I hope by Monday we shall appear in our best colors—really Mr Surtees is very kind– I am just going to thank him & return his note– Here I was interrupted by Mrs Shepherd & her husband, who came to ask whether they could take any thing for us to you—& wished us goodbye[.] Poor Mrs Shepherd seemed so done up that I gave them both a glass of wine, her husband so elated that he actually put out his hand to shake hands with me when he went away!!! I shall give them this– Our darling Mary’s teeth plague her this morng—her cheeks are red, & she now sleeps in the arm chair before me– I do not think I shall send her to Mrs Gann’s this eveng—perhaps Altham & I may go there for an hour, as it was promised– Robin & his wife called yesterday afternoon on their way from Sidbrook & brought us a basket of peas & new potatoes– I wish you were here to help us to eat them– They said Mrs Adair thought we should have no difficulty in letting our house, as furnished houses let so well here– I should like much to know how you are getting on this morng dearest Surtees, come back for me as soon as you can & for all our sakes take care of yourself– Mary is awake & sits on my knee kissing & coaxing me– Miss Hays came late last night with the powders for Altham– Pray thank Dr Hays for me–
God bless you my own dearest Surtees– Come as soon as possible— Mrs Cook’s best love and kisses from us all
Your own Henrietta
|Bring| A’s letters–
Address: Captain Surtees Cook / Plymouth.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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