Crockham Hill Farm, Edenbridge, Kent,
January 3rd, 1872.
To Mrs. Nassau Senior.
Dearest Janey,
Stansfeld wrote to tell me that he had written to you. Oh! I do long to hear the result. If you cannot do it, no one can; and it wants doing, so I hope you will try.
I am so thankful and so touched about your help about the Public-house. You are the only person except myself who has as yet found a soul to help. I can’t tell you what a sharing of burdens it feels. I am nearly sick of writing about it, or rather of the thought that by any post now the matter may have to be decided; and I may not know of enough money to say, “Let the arrangement be made.” I dare not promise a farthing more than I have been promised. I never trust to the future for help; it would seem to me wrong, as I have not of my own what would enable me to meet the engagement; and, tho’ one must get something more, one never knows how much....
I do not know when I have felt such joy as on receipt of Stansfeld’s letter; oh! Janey, do try the work if you have a chance.
I am your ever loving friend,
Octavia Hill.
Crockham Hill Farm, Edenbridge, Kent,