September 8, 1908
Kitebrook
Moreton in Marsh
My dearest Robin,
I was so glad to get your letter and to hear that you are still “at large”. [This letter of Robin’s is not extant.] You must have had a grand time camping out. It sounds such a delightful life, but I would be sorry to do it here. We have managed three consecutive fine but rather chilly days and today it is raining again. Your requirements are certainly few, if a little hay and a blanket is all you need. It’s even less than I want, for I don’t know that my hearth rug would be much use to me without a room to put it in or a fire to have it by!
Your fountain pen is a great improvement on the other one you used to write with, but I am really not sure that you won it quite fairly! It would make a lot of difference not having to load each time.
I am rather keen on rifle shooting just now. Reggie has a miniature rifle and we have made a range and he and I go and shoot there. I made my highest score yesterday, 28 out of 35 at fifty yards. I was rather pleased with myself as he often does not make more than that, though yesterday of course he took the opportunity of making 31. Auntie came down too yesterday to try. She had only fired one shot in her life before so her performance was a little erratic. Out of eight shots she once hit the target and twice missed the stop-butt! I am to be taken out to shoot a rabbit one evening soon. I hope I shan’t kill one of the cows instead.
Yesterday the ladies of the neighborhood beat the small boys at cricket and I am afraid they were not quite pleased about it. Mrs. Becher was heard to say she hoped the boys would not take the defeat to heart quite so much! She had a little treasure playing on each side and the girl caught little brother, which caused rather a commotion. We made 128 and the lads 72. I begin to think I am becoming quite a bowler, as I took six wickets!!
As to my tennis handicap, I think I probably mentioned it in my letter about the tournaments, so you will know all about it by this time. I received 3/6 at the Junction and should have got 15 at Stow if I had played. Francie owed 15, I think. I don’t know that that will help you much as to the standard of my play, as she has improved a good bit probably since you last saw her play. I do not rank among the first class performers.
Reggie was out cubbing yesterday on Pedlar, but I have not had Blackbird got into condition yet, as I am going away next week for a month or so and I want to give her every possible chance. I don’t suppose I shall be trying anything fresh, so you may make your mind easy on that score. I don’t seem to be looking forward to my hunting much this year. Just think of my long lonely rides home, or shall I chaperon Lawry? I wonder if the North Cotswold will do any better. I don’t think I shall go out much with them if they don’t. It wasn’t much good last season from a hunting point of view, was it?
We are enjoying? a visit from an old governess, one of the chatterbox kind. She only came last night and I felt quite dazed and giddy by bed-time. Auntie has taken her for a drive this afternoon, which I should think she must be enjoying as it has poured with rain almost ever since they left. I hope to send you my photograph this week. It’s a hateful thing. Many thanks for the snapshot of you. It’s a speaking likeness of your back! I expect Norah will want the other half of the photo when she sees it! Reggie and I went to dine with the Richardsons the other night, her birthday party. We played bridge after to pay for our dinners!
I am going up to Yorkshire next week. I had a letter from the girl I am going to stay with telling me to read up cookery books and find out how to roast a piece of beef. I hope we shall have nice weather as we mean to sketch (or spoil good paper) if we have any time left over from our household duties, which seems rather unlikely as it always takes much longer to do things when you don’t know how to set about them. We sound rather a promising couple, don’t we, but I expect we shall enjoy ourselves.
I have just heard a rumor of a concert at Compton at which I am expected to act so I shall do my best to stay away until it is safely over, as Mr. Rivington nearly drove me wild last time fussing round and trying to arrange things. He is one of the most terrible bores I have ever come across! and they are not uncommon in the neighborhood.
Yours with love,
Kathleen