being a prefect. I was
fearfully scared when first the Empress sent for me
and told me I was to be a school officer, but I've
got on swimmingly, thanks largely to Ailsa, I
think. Of course we're still inseparable. We always
have been since our first term at St. Ethelberta's,
when I smuggled the mice into No. 5 to scare Mona
out of the dormitory and leave room for Ailsa.

I go nearly every week to The Tamarisks. It cheers
Auntie up to see me. She's rather lonely since
Elaine was married. By the by you asked me what had
become of Miss Norton's little nephew Eric. You
admired his photograph so much, with those lovely
golden curls. Of course they're cut off now. He's
ever so much stronger and has gone to a preparatory
school. I still send him books and things and he
writes me sweet letters. I'm planning to coax
Mother to let me invite Nortie to bring him to us
for part of the summer holidays. I don't want to
lose sight of the dear little chap.

Now for home news. Leonard is in India, and likes
the life there, and Larry is at Cambridge. Peter
and Cyril are still at St. Bede's, and getting on
well. Their letters are full of nothing but
football though. Nora's baby girl is a darling, and
Michael is still very sweet though he's growing
rather an imp. You know we always describe
ourselves as an old-fashioned rambling family.
Well, one of us is rambling in your direction!
Marjorie is making a tour in Italy with some
friends of hers--the Prestons. Isn't she lucky? The
last post-card she sent me was from Rome, and she
said they were going on to Naples, so it's just
within the bounds of possibility that you may see
her. I wish I could have come out for Easter and
had a peep at you. I'd like to see oranges really
growing on orange trees! Perhaps Ailsa's going to
ask me for the holidays though. They have a country
cottage in Cornwall and it would be top-hole there.

Write and tell me about your southern school when
you have time. I'd love to hear. Do you have to
speak Italian there?

Well, I must stop now and do my prep. There's a
junior tapping