Well. Pomona tells me I made you out to have been a bit more hang-dog than you were at leaving. She reminds me that at the last, you turned around wagged your tail and gave us a strong bark.

As for bathing. We've just been invited along with some of our newfound friends here to a picnic this evening at the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park. Apparently it's a lovely bathing area that's part of the great Serpentine lake in the park, and I assure you that there's no chance this lot would consider swimming anywhere they might be threatened by leeches. I feel sure you could trust the waters there after hours--and it's not far afield for you.

I wouldn't encourage you to take any undo risks, of course, but if you happened to be in Hyde Park this evening, we'll be there from half-six, and I for one would happily share the contents of my hamper with a friendly stray.