Page:Life of Octavia Hill as told in her letters.djvu/382

 January 10th, 1878. . As to Octavia's work, she means to get Gertrude to be the centre, as far as she can, but each of the volunteers to be put in direct communication with the owners, and to be answerable immediately to them ; and she will ask the owners to understand that she expects them to look into the balance sheets, each quarter, and to see how things are going for themselves ; not to hold her responsible any more just now. Meanwhile she leaves all the work in train ; and Gertrude will advise and help the volunteers, and direct the assistants as far as she can, but will not take Octavia's responsibility to the owners. Of course she could not, as the work cannot be her first duty ; and she might have to break off any time. 0. thinks the plan will make the volunteers splendidly independent, and will answer very well wherever there is a good worker ; also that the worst can do little else than not make any great improvements in their properties. The management of the Donation Fund she leaves with Minnie, whose judgment she trusts very much. Hotel D'Holland, Cannes, January 24th, 1878. . We reached here last night. Miss Yorke is kinder, brighter, and with subtler sympathy than I had imagined. She is an excellent manager, and prevents one's feeling forlorn in travelling. It is an immense comfort that all my work is so well started, and that I am anxious about nothing. ... I hope dear Gertrude found all as easy as could be ; but one feels how