‘_Dec. 17._--_Please_, love, make no plans for bringing ladies to Batala. It is so awkward to me to have to explain to nice enthusiastic ladies that they cannot come. This is not a place except for elderly or married ladies. If Mera Bhatija would bring out a nice wife, it would give much pleasure; at present plans and propositions only--I must not say burden me--but they do not help me. I do very well as I am; I have had, through God’s goodness, a happy year; and if I were to be ill, I would _rather_ be doctored by our Sikh, and nursed by our Natives. As for visitors, we have hardly any except in the cooler weather; and a little packing then does no harm.’