The Christmas number [of All the Year Round] has come round again -- it seems only yesterday that I did the last -- but I am full of notions besides for the new twenty numbers [of Our Mutual Friend]. When I can clear the Christmas stone out of the road, I think I can dash into it on the grander journey.

Coming in just now, after twelve miles in the rain, I was so wet that I have had to change and get my feet into warm water before I could do anything.