accompany him or not. I suppose if she does we shall have some more balls. I hope when Sir George comes that he will not send you off somewhere. If he does I shall never forgive him as he kept you away so long once before when he was at Taranaki. Mama sends her kindest regards and she desires me to say that she received your letter with much pleasure which she will answer by the next mail. She is very much obliged to you for the hams. They seem in excellent order and she thinks the mat very pretty. I must now conclude as Dr Forbes and Dr Lyle are coming to dinner and I have something to do so I hope you will excuse this short letter. Goodbye dear And believe me to remain Ever your affectionate Susan Douglas Strang