Susannah Elmhirst to Lady Margaret

The Rectory, Lambeth, 26 July 1867

Dear Lady Margaret,

What a lovely surprise to hear from you after all this time, and for such an unexpected and exciting reason. Yes, Billy does still sell his drawings at the market and, yes, he still has Muffin with him and of course he remembers you. When I asked him if he would be interested in doing some drawings to illustrate your stories, I thought he would burst with pride. He can’t read, as you suspected, but I have arranged for Verity’s little girl Nellie to read the stories to him. In fact, they began this morning, working at a table in the church hall. The money you sent was more than enough for pencils, paints, and paper. I have given Billy an advance of a quarter of the fee you so generously offer, and will take the precaution of paying him the rest over a number of weeks.

I hope you will excuse me if I take the liberty of saying that you sound in much better spirits, and I am both glad and relieved if that is the case. All is well here. I have finally managed to recruit someone to help with the housework, thank goodness. And as for my brother—time is a great healer.

I look forward very much to seeing your work and Billy’s drawings in print. A chap-book is an excellent idea. I am sure we will be able to find the funds to buy some as Christmas gifts from the parish if it is published by then. I will send you the first of Billy’s artistic endeavours very soon.

With very best wishes,

Susannah Elmhirst