11 Feb. 1820 written in square brackets
Bertram House
Friday.
My dearMary
Will Mr. James Wheeler think me the greatest encroacher on his kindness that ever lived, if I venture to ask him to extend the gratifiation he has afforded me by the perusal of Mr. Lawrence's book to one much more worthy of it--to Mr. Sherwood?--I met him yesterday at Mrs. Jolliffe's & in course of talk Mr. Lawrence came on the carpet--I found Mr. Sherwood a great admirer of his
very indignant at his ill usage & above all
Is
very desirous to read this uncomeatable book that I even ventured to say I thought I could procure him that pleasure. Will you tell this to Mr. James Wheeler & if he is so very very good as to gratify Mr. S.'s desire tell him that it will be best I think to send it directed to Mr. Sherwood Esqre
Church Lane, Reading--I would not give him this additional trouble but as I don't know when I should myself be able to fetch it from Wokingham, I think it the best way of avoiding a certain round-about & a possible
risk
. Mr. Sherwood promises & above all to be very expeditious & careful, &
grateful
all his life--so do I.
Papa got home quite late the other night--or rather the other morning--sad man to keep you all up so! I dare say it was his fault--(I brought him in excellent time from Mrs. Jolliffe's)--he was quite full of a new lover which you or Miss Eliza (he has
not quite settled which) has gotten--he says he won't give his consent--& boasts that Miss Wheeler was of his opinion--for my part I scarcely know the gentleman--so I say nothing.--Mrs. Dickinson is not in bed yet--very tiresome--Molly's in the same way--very tiresome too!--Papa & Captain [Tappen/Taffer]
were out for 6 hours today on Mortimer Common & never saw hare or rabbit! Think of that!--There is no place like the dear Heath after all.
We had a very agreeable day yesterday--Harry Marsh Mrs. Jolliffe & I made such a noise that you might have heard us at Wokingham if you had
been listening--Good bye my own dear love--say every thing affectionate to all your house & to dear Miss Wheeler--
-->Ever your's
M. R. Mitford.
Write soona vertical strike mark follows the word soon