[1]

July 11.81

DOWN,

BECKENHAM, KENT

RAILWAY STATION

ORPINGTON. S.E.R.

Monday

My dear George

We had an agitating Sunday, but it all turned out pleasant. ─ At 1.45 when luncheon, consisting solely of a very underdone piece of beef was quite over, appeared Leo's friend the Baron de Constant & his friend a Dr – having mistaken the day for next Sunday.

[2]

We made much of them (Leo was away) & I was relieved to see them get up & help themselves twice to the beef. so that it was not too "saignant" for a Frenchman. No wonder they were hungry, as they had been more than 2 hrs walking from Orpington, missing their way I suppose — but the day was lovely & they enjoyed their walk & admired it. The Baron was agreeable & merry & handsome all but his hair w was perpendicular

[3]

& cut like a little boys in Punch. The friend a Dr was a sensible man & talked to R ─ about the English Hospitals, in w. he seemed to think the operating surgeons were very superior to the French ─ esp. in rapidity. The Baron sat under the fir tree in the field & sketched the house, after F. left them ─ they wd not stay dinner & we sent them off after p.m. tea in the Veranda ─ your soldier & aide-de-camp still does a gt deal of duty ─ I painted the one you drew in the train

[4]

which B. assured me kindly many times, I did quite as well as Mim cd have done — we were so handsome as not to open Fr — so no doubt you will send it us —

yours my dear old man

E. D —

Horace & Ida will like to know about our yesterday event —

[Mim is Bernard's nickname for George.]