24th November

Hello My Dear,

The excitement continues, as The Armstrongs' house suffered some extensive fire damage today.  They have lost the entire West Wing to the flames! I know not how this came to be, but some are beginning to whisper that they believe Miss Pettigrew to be the source.  Nonsense, I say, for she would not hurt a fly.  In fact, I have known her to actually collect compromised flies and feed them on sugar water.  No.  It cannot be her doing.  I suspect that it is someone who is trying to set her up as an arsonist.  Someone with a bone to pick.  Can you not think of a person who fits that description?  Shall I say it?  Yes.  I suspect it to be Mr Kim Blee.  Do you perhaps remember how incensed he was upon her taking up residence in the property which was, until so recently, her home?  Everyone knew that he had planned to buy it for years, and then to find that it had been left to her by Mrs S upon her death - well,  I was in town on the day that Mr Blee learnt the news, and he was most terrifying to behold.

The Armstrongs are well.  No one was hurt in the fire, and all 13 cats spend their time predominantly in the East Wing, and as such were completely unaffected.  Miss Olivier says that only one of them deigned to raise his head from a nap when the fire wagons came.  There is probably some joke to be made about the Cat and the Fiddle and fiddling on whilst Rome burned, but I have not the energy to disinter it at present, for I have done enough digging with the Armstrongs today.  To be honest, I felt quite useless.  Both Mr Armstrong and his strapping son are capable of throwing around timbers as if they were matchsticks. I caught even the youngest girl, Catherine, lifting out a grand piano from beneath the rubble!  But, though I was insufficient to most of the lifting tasks, I believe that I was able to offer Mrs Armstrong some succour at least.  And I did spend rather a lot of time soothing the cats, though they did not really seem in much need of it.  I provide photograhic evidence here:

I am quite looking forward to our excursion to the art gallery tomorrow.  The Armstrongs have entrusted me with a family portrait which they are lending to the gallery as they feel that it will be safer on those premises for the time being.  I hope that you will be able to meet us at the gallery cafe for luncheon!

Well, My Sweet, I find that I am exhausted from the exertions of the day, so I shall make my ending here, content in the knowledge that I will see you tomorrow!!


All My Love,

Mumsy

19th November

Hello Dearest,

I must apologise profusely for my failure to write yesterday.  I believed myself to have plenty of time, yet before I knew it, the day had gone.

I began by helping our friend R to navigate through some difficulties.  As you know, since the murder of his beloved wife and the kidnapping of his son, he is distraught and in much need of assistance.  Together we spoke with his man, Codsworth, but sadly we were unable to glean any information of use.  I am currently engaged in helping him to establish a new residence, as the old one is quite destroyed and, I am certain, holds too many painful memories for dear R.  When we first began our work, we did meet with some hostility from a very unfriendly woman (and her mongrel dog - I suspect it was rabid!), but through perseverance we were able to overcome the obstacles they presented.  We have begun to rejuvenate a property which R discovered, and have put by some store of goods for his use.  I am glad you were not there to see the size of the vermin that we met with upon beginning our work!  I cannot imagine how they became so overgrown!  I was put quite out of countenance for a moment, but there was no time to ponder the meaning of such creatures, for they were terribly aggressive and we were forced to fight them as if for our very lives!
 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

23rd November:

Oh My Dear, I am sorry that this never made it to the Post!  Our dear friend R came under attack and I took up arms and ran to help him!  I shall enclose this fragment with the letter I am sending today!

Your Loving,

Mother

17th November

Good Evening My Darling,

I must offer my apologies for writing to you at such a late hour.  It has been a day fraught with activity.  And napping.  Yes, napping.  I'm afraid to say that I was up rather late last night, for first I was engaged in chasing the infernal inflated ball, and upon returning home (at a shockingly late hour!), I became employed in helping to solve various and sundry conundrums for Mr W. Heatley.  It saddens me to tell you that for some time, he was not in full possession of his faculties, and I judged it safer to play along with his notions of what should be done rather than trying to make him see reason.  I finally accomplished his ultimate objectives this morning, and I believe him to be tranquil and perhaps even sane once again.  At any case, he has removed himself from the immediate vicinity and no longer poses any threat if his reason should chance to abandon him in future.

Today I did chance to create some quite delicious patties from quinoa and black legumes.  You see one here with a morsel of asiago cheese gracing its surface:

The mixture produced rather more than I was expecting, and I believe there will still be some here from you to try upon your return home, should you so desire.  Then again, it is possible that George will devour a large quantity of them.  If that is the case, I can certainly recreate the receipt with ease.  It needs only:

1 1/2 cups quinoa (cooked in 2 cups water, some powders of both cumin and Golden Broth)
1 can of "refried" black legumes (in all truth, they do not appear to be fried even once, let alone a second time, but I shall not quibble.)
1 hen's egg (I suppose that this distinguishes it from a duck's egg or a goose's egg, for we all know that roosters do not lay!)
and Seasoning (seasoned salt, and spices common to the Spanish Territories)

The resulting mixture is then formed into patties which are fried in a quantity of olive oil for perhaps 5 minutes per side.  They really are terribly good.

I only have one more piece of news to share, and that is that on my return home from instructing and studying the Fighting Arts of the Orient this night, I discovered that one of the cats had strewn my knitting project (the mitts for Prussia, you remember) all over the sitting room.  Oh shock!  I count myself very fortunate that the yarn was not severed, but I was mortified to see that rather a large quantity of it had been pulled off the skein and was lying in unfortunate disarray on the divan, the ottoman and the floor, as well as being draped every which way in between.  Had I a decent butler, this could never have happened.  Oh Sebastian, how I long for your arrival!

Well My Sweet, with this I shall end, and hopefully I shall have some more positive news for you on the morrow.  I shall be remembering you in performing the Holy Rites of Wednesday.  Much love to you My Darling!

Your devoted,

Mother

16th November

Hello My Dearest,

There is not much news to impart, but I will tell you that I am still endeavouring to acustom myself to the new manner of operating the plumbing in the kitchen.  It feels decidedly decadent to be able to command a stream of water - either cold or hot! - with the merest movement of a lever.

I was so pleased to hear that you have received approval on your classes for the new semester.  How delightful!  I had wanted to pursue some artistic efforts of my own today, but so far I have been much engaged in dealing with the servants &c.  (Hazel remains much improved!) I hope now, though, to at least make some progress on the mitts for my Prussian friend.  I have had to pull them out and begin again after finding a mistake, the result being that now I must knit with true fervour.

Mr Ho remains at large, and so I spent some time in raking leaves and pulling weeds, but it was a lovely day, and I found that I did not truly mind the exercise.  I discovered that there is some very dry wood put by for a fire or two.  Perhaps we should light the brazier out-of-doors when next you are home if one of the evenings should prove conducive.

I am well pleased with my work over the week end in making a small cupboard of sorts as well as some books for the Little People.  I think they are satisfied, too.  I really must convince Pippa to change out of her pyjama top.  I know not why she insists on continuing to wear it at all times.  I understand that she is rather taken with the penguin, but my indulgence has about reached its limit in this matter.

You may have noticed that Kiki is holding an unusual object.  Your brother George made it today during one of his lessons.  Apparently the students were all instructed (briefly) in the Japanese art of intricate paper folding.  I think he made it exceedingly well!

I hope to have more to tell you tomorrow.  Perhaps I will find Mr Ho, but truthfully, I despair of it.  If it is sunny again, I may well find myself tidying the gardens a bit more. 

I hope this letter finds you well.  I am as always,

Your Loving,

Mumsy

12th November

Hello My Sweet,

Today your sister Daphne and I performed our civic duty through volunteer activities at the Town Library.  The requirement of the day took surprisingly little time, however, and we were home in a trice. 

When we returned home, I remembered to seek out the work of Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi.  I had wanted to find it since hearing a fragment of the piece you will hear featured here:

I am profoundly moved by his music.  Would it not be most wonderful if we were able to attend a public performance of his works?  At the very least, I shall endeavour to find some sheet music to purchase for the pianoforte.

If you desire a more comprehensive performance, you are certain to enjoy this display given at the Royal Albert Hall:

Your brother is of a mind to create an ambience for you using that miraculous engine which he so recently discovered.  I asked him whether he intended to use primarily sounds of chewing and whistling, but he claims not.  I do hope that that is truly not his intention, for I should hate to lose him at so tender an age.

In spite of all the schooling of your sister and the overseeing of the servants, I was able to produce another decoden piece today.  I like it very well.

I know not whether you can tell from this representation, but there is a small homage to Cousin Winry's Apple Pie contained therein.  I have not yet decided the final purpose of the container, but I shall most likely utilise it for the storage of clothing or shoes for the Little People.

Mr Ho has done nothing with the grounds for days, and I begin to fear that he has been enticed away by Bertie W's Aunt Agatha.  What we shall do with all of the leaves that carpet the lawns, I can not imagine.  For now, I think there is nothing to be done, as it is too cold and damp.  In fact, I have had to fortify myself with some drinking chocolate, and a piece of toasted bread with cheese.  I find that they are very beneficial in helping to combat the cold.

I shall have to bundle up very well for the carriage ride, but I look forward to collecting you this evening.

Your Loving,

Mother

11th November

Hello My Darling,

This day finds your father in better health.  He remained at home, the better to rest today, and when he found that he was somewhat recovered,  we took the carriage and accomplished some necessary business.  It was a pleasant, sunny day, and so our excursion was an enjoyable one.

I continue to do contract work for that wizard of dubious sanity, and have received some rather favourable compensation.. To be truthful, I know not his ultimate intentions, but I suspect that he cannot be quite sane enough to make any kind of success, whatever it may be that he hopes to accomplish, and thus I am happy to earn my rewards.

I have made use of some of the new wonderful material that we received in the Post.  It diminishes and thickens in a manner that seems almost magical.  Here you see the results.  It began thus, about the size of my palm:

 then proceeded to curl in a most alarming fashion:

 until finally it flattened and hardened.  The end result is about the size of the bowl of a teaspoon.

 

I shall be conducting further experiments with the stuff.  You may recognise the likeness on the charm.  Pray, do not think me obsessed with this Butler (even if perhaps I am.)   I intend this to work as a sort of summoning charm, for I simply must have him in my employ.

My search for Durango goes ever onward.  I suspect that he is to be found in Korea, but there is no certainty of this.  Do you not think this could be he?

 

If so, then he is to be found at an agency by the name of Little Monica.  I hope to be able to bring him home soon, but I have not yet the necessary funds.

Your sister Katrina has lost her carriage permit and is driven to distraction.  She has sought high and low and everywhere in between, and we now think that there is nothing for it but to order another.  No doubt the thing will make its appearance in some strange place as soon as the new one arrives.

The wind has begun to roar in earnest.  Are you having some of the same?  I would not be greatly surprised to see children and small farm animals flying past the windows were it not so dark out of doors.   

But now I must away to bed, for the hour is late, and although we purchased new candles only today, I must extinguish them before they are quite used up!  I look forward with all eagerness to collecting you tomorrow!

Your loving,

Mother

10th November

My Dearest Girl,

Today we are beset by much cold rain.  Your father has taken a chill and gone to bed, and I hope that your brother and sisters may be well, but I fear for Katrina and George as they were compelled to go out in this weather.  I have kept Daphne inside so that she, at least, will be safe.

Last night I received a forceful blow to the calf from a Man of Some Size (whilst chasing the infernal inflated ball) as well as a rather startling blow to the face (this by said ball.)  Your father and I did not return home until perhaps 11:30 at night!  Fortunately, today finds me only a little sore.  I believe I shall survive it.

Today, we received in the Post a package containing a remarkable material which, when placed in the oven, is said to diminish in size while simultaneously becoming both thicker and more durable.  One is meant to use it with the automatic printing press.  However, our press (or mayhap our inks) will not adhere to the surface, so I shall content myself by using our artist supplies on it.  Perhaps you would like to make some use of the stuff when next you are at home.

I continue to aid Xiao Xi and Xiao Hong in processing great quantities of laundry.  Truly, I know not how it all appeared so suddenly in need of washing.  I hear their cheerful songs throughout the day, but they have not yet repeated the phenomenon of yesterday.

Oh, I had not remembered to tell you (or perhaps I did in a separate communication) that I received some sad news regarding the New Butler. It seems that his previous employer is of less than honest repute.  I had received word from him of Sebastian's dispatchment, but whether or not The Butler has truly departed remains unclear.  I shall be devastated if I cannot get him, for word of his skill surpasses that of all others.

Today, Mrs Nesbitt (after some help from myself) is cooking a Glorious chicken soup.  (It seemed an appropriate supper for your father as he is convalescing.)   As she was occupied with that, Daphne and I took it upon ourselves to prepare a Potato Dish without the aid of dairy products.  Well, that is not quite the truth, for we discovered that the Cream of Mushroom soup which we used as an ingredient does, indeed, contain some milk, but the sour cream and cheese do not.  Is that not most shocking?  The dish turned out very well indeed, and we shall have to prepare it again this week end.  I enclose a picture of it here:

As you can see, it browned most satisfactorily around the edges, and I cannot find any fault with its flavour.  In fact, we both declared it to be delicious!  I believe it may become a staple for us this winter.

Daphne and I will soon make ourselves ready for our classes in the Fighting Arts of the Orient.  It is not a long ride, and I think we shall be safe from the elements inside the carriage, but I shall encourage your father to stay at home if he thinks of coming along.  I do not believe he will benefit from the exercise in the state he is in.  But with some rest and Eucalyptus Oil to clear his head, as well as the chicken soup for supper, I am convinced that he will recover quite rapidly.

Please check your other communications, for I asked Katrina to send you some information about a Coat which you may require for the winter.  I think it very pretty, but I am not certain whether it will suit your tastes.

I find myself looking forward to Holy Wednesday with much Anticipation.  It seems that this has been such a busy week already, and I have not been able to Write as I would like.  I hope you are well!  Please take care to guard yourself from the chill!

Much Love,

Mumsy

9th November

Good Day My Dearest,

I hope this day finds your Humours better balanced and that you no longer suffer from the malaise which set upon you yesterday.  I was grieved, indeed, to have to leave you in The City in such a state!

You may remember that last week I found Hazel no longer capable of performing her duties.  Fortunately, I was able to attend to her myself, and was greatly relieved to avoid the necessity of calling for a specialist.  However, no sooner had she recovered from her first malady than she was beset by another.  I was able to nurse her through the second difficulty as well, though, and this afternoon finds her up and about and back to her work as if nothing had happened.  In fact, I suspect she is performing even better than before she took ill.  Perhaps the disease had been coming on for some time.

I have already accomplished much this fine day!  When I went looking for our gardener, Mr. Ho, he was nowhere to be seen, and so I took on the task of raking and bagging the leaves in the front garden by myself.  It was not an unwelcome diversion, as the sun was shining brightly, and the air both crisp and cool.  After that I found it necessary to assist Xiao Xi, the Laundress, in working through the mountain of laundry that had somehow accumulated.  We have gotten through at least four full cauldrons already and she is stirring the fifth as I write.  Xiao Hong is kept hopping as she dries all that we can turn out.  During all of this, I had taken a moment to assist Daphne with her mathematics when both servants suddenly and simultaneously broke out into two different songs.  How we laughed! (Never fear; they were in the next room and did not hear us!)

Jet is quite well, and has spent the morning and much of the afternoon atop the Lookout Tower.

And I attempted to introduce Wheatley to the joys of freshly laundered towels, but he would have none of it until I left the room.  Seconds later, he was partaking fully of their warmth and no doubt thought that the idea had been all of his own devising.

Of course, the ribbon had to be present as well.

The afghan that I knitted for the Little People will finally go into the shop today.  Pippa was very accommodating in demonstrating it for me.

I do believe that she is appreciative of having her own bed, as well.

Oh, and you shall be receiving another package with some physick preparations and a little surprise.  I am assured that it will arrive on Wednesday, but then, as always, it is up to your Postal Mistress whether you are able to pick it up before Thursday.  I think you shall like what you find inside very much indeed.

I must go now and attend to Xiao Xi and Xiao Hong, but I shall write again tomorrow.  Until then (and always) I am,

Your Loving Mother

5th November

Hello My Darling,

Well, this is a day that shall not soon be forgot.  I find myself wondering whether Mrs Next-Door started her bonfire early, for this morning, there arrived not one, but two ambulances!  But as there were no fire wagons, I shall assume that it is once again her brittle health that is the cause.

I must apologise for not writing yesterday.  In the morning, I felt very dull indeed, and by the time the afternoon had arrived, I found myself compelled to take the carriage in every direction imaginable in order to collect and deposit your siblings at their various engagements.  I should have found it all too trying, were it not for the fact that Miss Hughes was able to call for some time, and we were able to carry out some contracts together.  I hope to be able to do the same with you this evening.  I find it most invigourating.

I take some comfort from the fact that during all my driving about I was able to make a breakthrough in my story, such as it is.  No doubt you shall hear all about that when I collect you this evening, unless you can stop me from telling you.

Today, Daphne and I shall do our Volunteering work at the Town Library.  I know not what they have in store for us, but I suspect that it will involve turkeys in some form or another, as now that Hallowe'en is past, American Thanksgiving looms large against the horizon.  At this time of the year, one sees infestations of turkeys in every place one chances to look.

On the subject of infestations, Wheatley was in a bit of a frenzy this morning, rushing about so that his toes squeaked against the kitchen floor.  I failed to see the object of his pursuit no matter how I looked.  It is almost enough to make one believe we might have a Pixie problem.

Oh, My Dear!  I received communication from the lady who purchased your clay bird, and she is Delighted with him!  She has named him Chauncy, which I think suits him very well, indeed.  I shall have you read her letter in full when you are at home.  Please remind me to give you the monies you earned from his sale.

In spite of the dullness I felt yesterday, I was at least able to complete a Little Person-sized afghan for our shop yesterday.  I'm not certain that Pippa can be convinced to part with it, however.

I am so delighted by its texture that I am quite of a mind to make a large one for our own use!  Also in regards to the shop, perhaps you would not mind modeling the chunky scarf I made?  I think that our woods would be a nice setting in which to make the photographs.  I know you have not so many trees in The City, but here where it is less settled, Fall hit with a vengeance yesterday.  Leaves were fluttering and swirling every which way, and the colours are simply lovely.  I hope that we can make the photographs tomorrow, for obviously it will be too dark when you are at home this evening.

Oh, and tomorrow George has not any lessons, for it is Credentialing Day, and since neither you nor Katrina have classes either, I shall give Daphne the day off from lessons as well.  Hurrah!

Well, I must attend to the business of the day, and before I know it I shall be departing to collect you!  Until then!

Your loving,

Mumsy

3rd November

Hello My Darling,

What a fright we've just had.  I had begun knitting some mitts which I hope to make a present of to my friend in Prussia, when Katrina let out quite a loud shriek.  I looked up to see an enormous black wasp circling our sitting room.  It landed on the window, and I attempted to capture it in a glass, but it muscled its way out past my hastily contrived lid and proceeded to fly all the way up to the top of the room, where I could hear its carapice bouncing off the ceiling as it went along.  It finally alighted on an upstairs window, and I was able to capture it and carry it outside.  I believe I may have to take a tonic for my nerves, or at the very least, a strong cup of tea.  How I wish Sebastian Michaelis were already here.  This is precisely the nature of things that butlers are meant for.  Your sister still has not left the divan since first she sighted the creature.

 I enclose a photograph of the progress I have made so far in the mitts.  I do not know whether I can hope to have them done in time to ship to Prussia for Christmas, but I shall do my best.  Truly, I know not how it came to be November quite so suddenly.

We had a lovely time with Miss Hughes yesterday and wanted only your presence to make the afternoon ideal.  The one hiccough in the affair was that we had not enough dough for baking biscuits.  I had been certain that we had plenty, but discovered all too quickly that we did not, and so took the carriage to Mr Kroger's market in an attempt to procure more.  (Again the lack of a decent butler rears its head!)  Sadly (as is all too common these days), Mr Kroger's stock was depleted and he shall not have more until Wednesday at the least, the result being that we were forced to make our own.  It was very vexing indeed.


Last night I chased the infernal inflated ball again, but I believe I comported myself better than I have done earlier, and so am satisfied with my performance.  Tonight brings more of the Fighting Arts of the Orient.  I shall be well exercised!

Miss Hughes hopes soon to place an order for some knitting wool and has asked whether you desire any for projects of your own.  If we purchase a sufficient quantity from the merchant she has discovered, we shall not have to pay any shipping fees.  I am afraid I may well be able to make up the necessary amount on my own, but do let me know if you desire any for yourself.

I have recently been able to view videographic records of our new butler's service at his current place of employment.  I must say that I am terribly impressed with what I have seen to date.  I find that Sebastian, too, is acquainted with the distinguished gentlemen whom we met at Mr W. E. E. Bronson's ball, and I was very pleased to see that he conducted himself in a highly respectable manner toward them.  His arrival here cannot come too quickly!

Oh, I have not told you that Hazel is ill!  So far, I have been unable to discover the cause of her malady, for in part, I find that she suffers not at all, and yet she is unable to complete even the simplest task.  I know not what to do with her.  I hope I shall not have to bring in a specialist, for that would be an unwelcome expense.

George must stay late at his lessons today, but Katrina will fetch him for me.  Daphne remains perhaps a bit obsessed with her little friends from Swimming Club.  They are such a presence that I do believe we shall have to construct a pool for them here.  Later, she, too, will attend the classes in Fighting Arts of the Orient with me.  I am well pleased that she has mastered enough to assist me in teaching the junior lessons!  Tomorrow, we may attempt to electrify her Little House.  I will admit that I am not a little intimidated by the prospect.  Wish us luck!

I hope your lessons are continuing pleasantly.  I look forward to seeing you in two days' time!

Yours,

Mumsy


Post Script: I have finished some contracts for our dubious acquaintance Mssr. Merasmus, and have received from him a (hastily contrived) masque of the Engineer, and a rather awfully besmirched apron.  I think he could at least have presented me with a clean one, but I have lent it to my fire-loving friend, who seems quite taken with it.
 

2nd November

Hello My Darling,

I must apologise most sincerely for not writing much this week past.  As you know, I was deep in the throes of preparing for the arrival of the Henriksons, and the servants were being quite difficult.  I am very pleased to announce that I have finally procured the services of a new butler.  He is known by the name Sebastian Michaelis, and he comes most highly recommended.  In fact, the impeccability of his reputation is such that I am certain you will find his name to be known even among your fellow students in The City.  Unfortunately, he is finishing out a contract abroad, so I do not expect his arrival until the 14th of November at the very earliest, and possibly as late as the end of the month.  In the meantime, I attend to the chaos on my own, and eagerly await his arrival.  As you can see, he appears to be most capable, even when faced with unusual circumstances.

My Dear, I so enjoyed our time together at Mr W. E. E. Bronson's ball!  What a delightful event that was.  I found the guests of honour to be most humble and charming.  What perfect gentlemen!  And I was delighted that your father, brother and sisters could all return with us to the estate on Sunday.  I am already looking forward to next year's ball.

I took some more items to the shop today and found that I had a not unwelcome sum waiting for me from goods I had sold previously.  Eighty dollars and twenty-five cents if you can countenance it!  My pocketbook was positively bulging!  I have put the money away with the intention of using it on adoption fees for Durango when I find him.  And you, too, have some monies that I shall keep safe for you, as one of your clay birds has sold!  Is that not most pleasing?  I have already taken it to the Post Office and shipped it off.

I would like to write more, but I have mountains of laundry to attend to and the servants in the washroom will need direction.  In addition, Hazel still needs dragging about.  I do wish she were more self-motivated, but what can one do?  Also, after my success at the shop in town, I am quite inspired to discover more items to be sold.  I look forward to seeing you again in three days' time.

All my love,

Mother


Post Script: I have just received a communication on The Instrument from our Dear Friend, Miss Millicent Hughes.  She will be calling shortly.  I must prepare!