I will have much more time for letters now, because last week a distant aunt of mine, Ms. Griselda Yaxley, fell ill. Since she never married or had children of her own it apparently falls to my shoulders to take care of her in her illness and to see to the running of her estate, which is a little ridiculous, but apparently my two older brothers think this will be good practice for when I am married next year. A year seems so soon...

On the other hand, there are a great many days in a year and there is very little immediacy in the thing, so I need not worry myself about it yet. Many things will no doubt happen between then and now.

How have you been keeping? I didn't mean to prattle on so about my life. Do tell me what has been happening in yours. How is Mr. Dippet keeping? Do you enjoy being his secretary, or do you find it tiresome at times? I enjoy writing but I think being a secretary would wear on me, being unable to talk about my own thoughts and instead transcribing someone else's. But do tell me what you think.

Affectionately,