Letter, E. Vale to the steward of the North House

Dear Ruth —

Three things and then I will leave you alone.

The boiler man has been and says what the boiler man said in 1981, which is that it will see us out. I have written down what he said and the date, so that in 1993 we may all enjoy it together.

On the shelving in the second room: yes, take the bay by the window, but do not take the bay by the door, because the parish material has to go somewhere and it will not go upstairs.

On the papers that may be coming to us from the department: accept them if they arrive, list them plainly, and do not attempt to describe what the man was working on. Wren believed the text described a place. This was his first error. Put the parcels in the second room with the rest and I will look at them when I am next north.

The Hargreaves girl has asked about the Thursday. I said yes. Feed her.

— E.V.