To Bertha from Harriet Reid –
(Date is approximate)
S. Antonius – Fiesole
Friday Morning
My dear Miss Bertha,
I told Canon Turini yesterday evening how kindly and courteously you had responded to my suggestion, but that after seeing you I thought you much too tired and run down to be bothered with luncheon guests. I had therefore thought it best to deter our visit – especially as I’ve shall have the pleasure of seeing you here before long to spend the rest of the summer. So please don’t be worried about it anymore. I should never have thought of it if I had known how far from fit you are. When I am in town, I’ll look in on you and hear how things are going with you.
Many thanks for your kind guidance yesterday. Today I am devoting myself to my new hat!!
Yours always.
Sincerely,
Harriet Reid
P.S. But know comes your letter. I still think you should be left in peace judging by what I myself should want if I was in your place. I could not feel happy in making any demand on you. So please believe that I do indeed appreciate your kindness in repeating your invitation that it is with goodwill and affection which in this case keep me away.
By the way, the plan was mine, not Don Luigi’s. He did not make any request be he welcomed my suggestion. That as we are going to the flower market together. We might take the opportunity to see your pictures and if you still wished it, accept your kindly repeated invitation to us both to lunch with you. We should have been a very happy trio… If you had been well, but not as things unfortunately are with you at the present. A few months in Fiesole will work wonders for you. Meanwhile, don’t worry about anything or anybody. Be sure that all here are cordially your friends.
H.R.