Lady Victoria Campbell

64 HOME FOR GOOD
frightened at its being so cold — they are so
unaccustomed to it. To-day, however, we have
had a nice sun, and I just took a turn for about
half an hour. The donkey was quite frisky after
his three days' rest — kept kicking up his hind legs
in running, whereupon as usual I rewarded him
with bread. I am afraid there is not much to tell
you until to-day ; I have not been out since
Friday. The birds even look quite astonished at
this unusual weather, and come knocking against
the windows. We have put some bread on the
balcony. Last Saturday Dot went to a Christmas
tree for the Protestant Sunday School ; they have
it at two o'clock, because people and the tinies don't
go out much here after sunset, so they shut the
shutters and make it quite dark. Mademoiselle
Penchina helped the French pastor to make things
for it and to decorate it.
1870.
Many thanks for your letter. I am so sorry to
hear that Mama is not quite so well, and I am very
anxious to hear again. Do write very often and
give us news, because if you don't there is nobody
else, now Libby and Evey are away, so you and
Mary will have plenty of use for your pens.
It has been such a lovely morning here. Dot
and I have been sitting out on the balcony ; it is so
unlike January at home. The Dufferins are here
now, but they are not going to stay long. Coupe,
the donkey, is very well, in excellent condition.