SD2313. Henrietta Cook to William Surtees Cook

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 339 (in part).

[Stoke St. Mary, Somerset]

Friday Morning [1860]

My beloved Surtees–

Harry passes us by again– He might have spent a few hours with us at least if he could not do more– I sent you his letter– Mary has written to Altham, I enclose her letter in a cover & give it to John to leave with him– This horrid |Stadgell| paper makes it necessary for John to go in to see you– I did not understand from him that it was wanted today– I have told him to call at Stephenson’s for the plants we ordered, we were to have sent for them on Monday, but on that day it will be impossible to get them, for you will require John with your men—& all these people are coming to luncheon– It is unfortunate that they are coming, as there will be so much to be done here in preparation for Ocky & Charlotte– I found Mr Dyer here last eveng, he was waiting here till after dark—his wife finished the covers & he took her away with him– They look well– Before I went up to the |Fryers|, whom I met at the door, I got him to look at the new carpet, it is a pity the border will not go all round, if it had, it would have done excellently, but as it is, it will not I think look bad, & Mr Dyer has taken it to make it up– We are to have it on Tuesday morng– The pink room is one of the prettiest in the house—the |Rugs| are capital in the dining room– I am sitting here now, as the carpet is up in the school room– Edward quite well—do pigeons—do chickens—do guinea fowls—do pigs—do cow—do ponies—do mare—do hawk—do starlings—do wife who remains

Your ever attached

Henrietta

Address: Major Cook.

Docket, in the hand of William Surtees Cook: Early in 1860 / Happy days at Stoke Court / before the trial came so terribly.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.

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