Laxfield   
Wednesday

My dear George
We were very pleased to hear from you & glad you are quite well. I received a letter from Grandmama Draper the other day & we were to send you a Post Office order for 10/-, but I have sent it you in stamps. Now my dear, you must write & thank her with the compliments of the season, pray tell her all the news about the war etc. Ellen will soon be home for the holiday now. Aunt & Uncle John with Cousin Alice are coming to spend the Christmas with us & Ellen is to return with them for a week & Marianne come back with her for a week. It may be some time before the girls may have a holiday together again, as I should think M. will go out in the Spring. A.M.Roe have now served her month & they are agreeable to have (her) stay so yesterday Father went to Halesworth to pay 10£ down & the 10£ this time twelve months. I hope it may turn to good effect but I have my doubts for she is so shy & not at all sharing in any thing. I expect she find the keep a little different for she is reduced in size. Anna & Kate get on pretty well with old Joe. Mrs Blomfield have engaged a Governess for after Christmas so Miss Addy is going to leave boarding school. Saturday evening we were at Mr. Tutthils to tea where K. Scace lived. They are up to the mark exactly like Scace, but I am sure it cannot last. Monday they came here to tea but I did not make any fuss for them, & last night we all went to Mr. G. Garrard's to tea and supper, home this morning at three o'clock, so I am rather tired & hope you will excuse my writing much. Poor old Woods I expect, will soon have to hook it, he is very sadly, Mr. Wallas is a little better. Mr. Thirkettle can get up but not able to do anything. I shall think of you just before Christmas & no doubt you will think of us. I tell Father we must, if all's well, come to London in the Spring.
Now dear boy I must say adieu, with love from one & all to you & Wm. from your ever loving Mama. Write & let us know if you get the stamps all right & send the old dame a good long letter, give her a specimen of London.