I began the year with 3 entirely submerged days, headache, head bursting, head so full, racing with ideas; & the rain pouring; the floods out; when we stumbled out yesterday the mud came over my great rubber boots; the water squelched in my soles; so this Christmas has been, as far as the country is concerned, a failure, & in spite of what London do to chafe and annoy I'm glad to go back, & have, rather guiltily, begged not to stay here another week.