Dear Betty, I have just sent a wire in frantic haste asking you to
come [that was exactly what she had not done] on Tuesday for a
fortnight. I should so much like you to see something of the
children, and Baby really is very fascinating. She is such a fat
child, much fatter than Muriel's baby, who is six months older.
The fact is, Jim is rather run down; nothing much, of course, but
I think a change would do him good, and the Staveleys have asked
us to go to them, and I don't like to refuse, and we thought it
would be such a good opportunity to have my bedroom re-papered and
painted. I don't believe you would smell the paint, and in any
case I believe there is some new kind of paint which smells
delicious, like stephanotis, I am told, so I will order that. I
would not ask you to come just as we are going away, because I
should like to be at home to see you, but I could go away so
happily if you were with the children; I often think for a woman
without children, you are so wonderfully understanding, about
children, I mean. You could manage nurse, too, I am sure. She is
in one of her moods just now, and I feel I must get away from all
worries for a little.

Yours,

ZERLINA

P. S. -- Jim is so well, and would send his love if he were here.

I telegraphed back, of course, directly I got Zerlina's telegram,
saying I could not come, and answered the letter at leisure. It is
as a sister-in-law in relation to the aunt that Diana particularly