Bridget had been my housekeeper before I was married and I asked her to stay on lest your mother should be inexperienced at first in the domestic arts.

They never got on well together and when Mary had recovered from her confinement and seemed disposed to take up housekeeping I sent away poor Bridget reluctantly and only took her back after your mother's flight.

Bridget was a second mother to you as you know, though I fear you never showed her much affection till these later days.
_October_ 23.
My eyes seem to be improving instead of getting tired with the new delights of reading and writing.

I owe all this to you and to the clever oculist at Clifton.

Dr.Murgatroyd from Pontyffynon looked in here the other day, to ask about your return.