MS Mrs Clare Roels/87
My dear C C
I confess that though I mourn over the Manes of the M P I am personally a little relieved, for I was considering what I could honestly personally undertake or allow my name to be used for, in relation first to Truth, secondly in public spirit to the Church and girlhood, and thirdly in justice to kind helpers and endeavours for a fresh start.1 Helen has been reading the early volumes which somehow she had never seen, and I find that they were almost entirely my best and most enduring things, such as I could hardly renew imitate, and if I did, they would be only stale. No, I could not do the same, nor could you, though you can do better and deeper and the young and lively do things of their own not in old grooves of their predecessors- So we had better throw it off our minds and turn to what we can do – though we do not finish – like the singers in one of Hardy’s books with ‘a Sunday that is not something after a feast day’-2
Nat Soc has paid me as much as ever. I hope the Herd Boy may come in a day or two. Miss Fin’s Miss Blunt is coming to see her on Thursday, she is all right again, but Alethea has had the prevalent complaint! Annie went away yesterday, having had a fit of rheumatism in one leg. I hope you will see more of her. Wilfred Merrifield has set up a mischievous little flirtation with Vera.3 I think I shall finish by Christmas or before, and then my missionary story, but the aunt and niece might be simultaneous if we see an opening.
your affectionate
C M Yonge
I wonder if we shall ever hear what has become of A D I I am very sorry for him, as well as sorry for you, and the upset of work