Dalmuir Hill September 14th 1850 My dear Mr McLean I am very much disappointed that I did not hear from you by yesterday's mail but as it will do no good to grumble I must wait as patiently as I can till next Friday. The weather this week has been miserable. It has been as cold and wet as it was in the middle of winter. This changeable weather must be injurious to the health. I do not wonder that Mama complains of it. Those sudden changes always seem to effect her so much. I wish for her sake that we had a few fine days for although her cough is gone she looks very ill. In one of your letters you said that you wished I would try to cultivate flowers. As I like to do all I can to please you I have commenced to do so although I fear that I shall not be very successful. Our garden is in such a bad situation and nothing appears to grow well in it but I shall do what I can. It will be a little amusement for me, and when you return I shall get you to assist me. Do you still persevere in early rising? I am seldom in bed after 7 o'clock which is I think a good hour for this season as the mornings are cold. I shall get up much earlier in summer. The mornings are then so beautiful that it is shameful to waste time in bed. I look forward with much pleasure to summer as I am in hopes that I shall have you with me for some time [crossed out] part of it. You must stay a long time in Wellington when you return for after such a long absence you have only spent a month with me. You should be amused if you heard of various conjectures which the people make about us. Some say that it is all nonsense, that there is no truth in the report, others that the marriage is to take place when you come in. Major Durie has got another way of it. He says it is to be put off for two years. Why he thinks that I cannot imagine. Is it not strange that people would trouble themselves so much about what does not concern them but I must conclude this nonsense. I am afraid you will think my letters have seldom got anything else in them. The Governor and Mrs Eyre have not gone to Nelson. I have not heard what the reason is. Mama sends her kind regards. She is sorry that she has not written to you by this mail but she forgot all about it till it was too late for she cannot see to write at night. Goodnight dear and believe me to remain Ever your affectionate Susan Douglas McLean