BR TO ALYS RUSSELL, [19? DEC. 1908]
BRACERS 21060. ALS. McMaster
Proofread by K. Blackwell

<letterhead>
BAGLEY WOOD,
OXFORD.
Saturday night

Dearest Alys

Henry met me at the station, and walked up with me; I saw Arthur and Frances as soon as I arrived, and Mr. Dakyns after tea. Arthur seemed grateful for thy letter, and sent thanks. He is reserved with me, and doesn’t wish to talk much about it — he looks horribly thin, but keeps up a cheerful appearance, as they all do. I think Henry is only feeling it moderately — Mr. Dakyns, thought he is very brave, obviously finds it very hard to bear. Frances is so occupied in being useful that she has not much time for grief. They go on with a semblance of ordinary life, and talk about ordinary topics, and make jokes. Crompton is coming tomorrow. I am very glad to be here. I am being put up by the Chambers’s close by, as Higher Coombe is full up.

I caught the train at Guildford easily, and I got a January Bradshaw.

Thine aff
Bertie.