erms with Unwin; and he is to
begin work on Monday. I believe in his heart he would still prefer
the New Zealand scheme; and if we could only get rid of his
mother--not an easy task that--I should be inclined to give him a
helping hand in that direction; but as Blake does not see his way
clear to leave her, he may as well take the berth offered to him.
Privately, I believe Unwin is hugging himself under the idea that
he has got a treasure. He spoke of him to me as a highly
intelligent fellow and a first-rate Greek scholar, which we know
are facts. His hours are pretty light--from ten to six--so he will
have his evenings to himself; but I am sorry to say he means to
look out for pupils. I have talked myself hoarse on the subject;
but he will not listen to reason. Of course his health will suffer:
he has always been accustomed to so much fresh air and exercise. If
I could only induce him to join a cricket or tennis club! But it
would never do to propose it just now; he has no heart for play.

'One thing, he has given in to me about Kester, though I had some
difficulty with him at first. We had a long talk last night, and I
employed all my eloquence to bring him to see the thing in its
right light; and at last he consented that I should have my way.

'Do you remember my telling you about George Moore--that nice
fellow who got into trouble with his rector? Well, he has married
lately, and his wife is a very good woman. Moore has taken a
capital house at Brighton. He has a curacy at Kemp Town, and he is
looking out for a few pupils to prepare for the university.

'I am going to send Kester to him for a year or two, until he is
old enough to go to Oxford. Abercrombie tells me the sea air will
do him a world of good. I have just written to him to come up at
once, as he must have a proper outfit. And now I must tell you that
Blake has found some very good rooms, Kensington way. I went down
with him yesterday, and I think they will do very well.

'There is a good-sized drawing-room--a sunny, cheerful room, with a
smaller one behind, where Blake can work with his pupils--and two
good bedrooms. Biddy (how I wish she were not to be of the menage!)
will have to content herself with a dull slip of a room on the
basement. Of course the furniture is shabby, and