November 12th, 1890.
Miranda to Mrs. Durrant.
You are right in thinking that we want to settle quite near our present house on account of work and nearness to Hampstead too. We have found a house that we very much like in the Marylebone Road. It is smaller than this, and with much smaller rooms; but it is quiet, light, and cheerful (having its chief rooms with a south aspect), and cheap. It is also not a great risk, as we shall take it by the year—at any rate till we know how we like it. It has a garden in front—and a yard behind—to our great delight; a little light space and quiet being our chief requirements. The Marylebone Road used to be noisy; but now it has a wooden pavement, a great boon. There will be room for Octavia and me with Miss Yorke and two of the friends now living with us, Miss Pearson and Miss Sim. It would be a great sorrow to part with them; so we are thankful to get a house large enough for us all.
MOVE TO MARYLEBONE ROAD
Octavia’s work is so wide and many-sided, and she is so large-hearted and wise in giving all her fellow workers leave to work in their own way, that she often hands a little domain over to me to work in my own way. So there is no sense of not carrying out my own ideas.
14, Nottingham Place,
November 22nd, 1890.
Octavia to Mr. S. Cockerell.
I have never really thanked you for sending me Booth’s book. They are all reading it with interest. I believe I shall do so, some day, if we may keep it so long; but I prefer “Old’s News,” like a true disciple of Ruskin’s, and would rather read it when the fuss is a little over. I know in my heart of hearts, what I think; and that is that it all depends on the spiritual and personal power; and that we must measure, if at all, in the courts, rather than in the book. But the book would interpret at least the aim. So, thank you much.
December 30th, 1890.