The draft reads: “In memory of our Dear One, Lucy Marian Rose, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Rose, Born 26th March 1888, Died 7th July 1898.

She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be,
But she is in her grave - and oh
The difference to me!”

[The Wordsworth quote was not carved on the gravestone].

Lucy writes that she is sending an inkpot with love; that she was getting a boat for Christmas and Dorothy was getting a doll; that they were going to Torquay next Thursday; and that she hoped Marian would come and see them next January.

On paper decorated with robins.

Lucy writes that her dolly’s name is Dorothy Anne (Anne is named after her grandmother), the Rev Mother sent them 2 paper dolls (which she describes), she hopes her grandmother is getting better, and she wrote the letter herself though her mother told her how to spell the words.

Sent from 36 Upper Addison Gardens, W., London. Writing that last Wednesday afternoon they went to see Julius Caesar (play) and then had tea in Pall Mall. They had a nice box and it was well acted, and Freda Garret went with them. Lucy gives a full account of each scene of the play.

Asking them to please plant the roots in our gardens, and telling them that [she and her sister] went to some woods with Granny [Anne Brookes Rose] and some other people (they drove and the others went on bikes or on foot) and it was a 10 mile return trip. She also writes that she hopes the flowers will be fresh, and one of her teeth came out (“how much may I have for it please?”).
With a drawing of “Mums”, and another of Dorothy Rose in a countryside scene.

Lucy writes that she is getting on well at school, the doll her aunt had given her has new shoes, and she hopes they will like the new house.

Sent to Mrs Rose [Anne B Rose], Edgehill House, Anglesea Road, Ipswich. Postmarked West Kensington, 27 Dec 1898.