"Dear Mrs Langley Moore Please forgive my writing in pencil - my pen, as E. Nesbit was fond of saying, "refuses its offers" - At long last, through a most unhappy condition, I am at long last able to give you the tale of my long and close association with E.N..."

"Dear Madam, The enclosed envelope should give full explanation of the delay in my answering your letter of the 5th inst. I much regret this especially as I am quite unable to grant an interview or to help you in respect of my dearest friend, companion in work and play, during our young womanhood..."

"Dear Mrs Moore, Excuse my writing in pencil. I am in bed with a bad attack of influenza living on barley water which my [?] kind wife sends a large jug every day. My landlady is in hospital with gastric ulcers and her son is only here at night leaving at 8.30 a.m. every morning..."

"My dear Mrs Moore, I do not know whether these loose sheets will be of any use to you and though I have tried all day to put them in order I have wholly failed having I fear left my glasses at John's flat and as he went off to Cambridge that night I shall have to wait until I hope he will discover and send them to me as I am almost helpless without them..."

Transcribed copy of the original letter.

Transcribed copy of the original letter.

Transcribed copy from the original letter.

Transcribed copy of the original letter.

Transcribed copy of the original letter.