From which I gather that half the neighbourhood has been
specially invited to meet you. So mind you bring a frock-coat; and
if Little Mother can put her hand easily on my pink muslin with the
spots--it is either in my wardrobe or else in the bottom drawer in
Veronica's room, if it isn't in the cardboard box underneath mother's
bed--you might slip it into your bag. But whatever you do don't
crush it. The sash I feel sure mother put away somewhere herself.
He sees no reason--I'm talking now about young Bute,--if you approve
his plans, why work should not be commenced immediately. Shall I
write old Slee to meet you at the house on Friday? From all accounts
I don't think you'll do better. He is on the spot, and they say he
is most reasonable. But you have to get estimates, don't you? He
suggests--Mr. Bute, I mean--throwing what used to be the dairy into
the passage, which will make a hall big enough for anything. We
might even give a dance in it, he thinks. But all this you will be
able to discuss with him on Friday. He has evidently taken a great
deal of pains, and some of his suggestions sound sensible. But of
course he must fully understand that it is what we want, not what he
thinks, that is important. I told him you said I could have my room
exactly as I liked it myself; and I have explained to him my ideas.
He seemed at first to be under the impression that I didn't know what
I was talking about, so I made it quite clear to him that I did, with
the result that he has consented to carry out my instructions, on
condition that I put them down in black and white--which I think just
as well, as then there can be no excuse afterwards for argument.
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