Badsey
Evesham
Feb 16/03
My dear May,
You will be wanting to hear all about my trip into Kent.
I started by the 9.35 on Thursday and in passing through London selected a nice Turkey carpet and rug, at the same place the old one came from, I also bought a nice silver sugar sifter out of Auntie Lottie’s silver wedding present, I went down to Sandwich by the “Grenville” and after tea at Delph House walked over to Ash to see Aunt Susan she was better and as usual glad to see me, on my return to Sandwich I found uncle George had returned from Folkestone where he had been for the day, next morning I went over to Deal with your uncles soon after breakfast, aunt Edith following later, we saw aunt George who though very sad bore herself very bravely and she took us herself to see uncle in his coffin, he had wasted very much but had a placid look, Jack also saw him later, we went to meet him and others at the station and at 12.45 the funeral started, I am sending a paper which will give you many particulars, the day was lovely and the service nicely conducted, such a number of people to show their respect, after our return to Rosway we sat down to luncheon about 16 then the nearer relatives met aunt in the drawing room to hear the will read and afterwards the remainder came in and we had coffee and poor aunt managed to chat a little to everyone, she is left with a handsome income for her life, Grannie, aunt Susan & uncle Noakes have each the interest of £2000 for their lives but eventually the property mostly reverts to the eleven nephews and nieces who also are left immediately legacies of £500 each, one thing you will be very glad to hear – uncle was very pleased about Arthur’s success and he gave £50 towards his college expenses which we are to have in October and with his usual sense of fairness he gave a similar sum to Lewis and to Norah, wasn’t it nice of the old man.
After the funeral I went back to Folkestone with uncle and auntie, I found Grannie fairly well but she fails slowly.
Just before the funeral I received a telegram from Mother saying that George had developed diphtheria, so on Saturday morning I hurried off to Woodford finding most of the boarders had gone and in the absence of any day boys little work being possible I decided to bring Cyril home with me, we then went to the Isolation Hospital Wanstead, Essex, to enquire about George, the nurse said he was better than on Friday but had had a nasty throat, we are hoping to hear further to-morrow, perhaps you will write to him he will be glad to have letters, we just saw him in his bed through a window, I have sent him some grapes to-day.
Mrs Idiens has kindly taken Juliet to stay for a few days till we are satisfied that Cyril has not brought the infection, she is very happy there and Cyril had a long talk with her through the telephone to-day.
Of course Ethel went off on Saturday as arranged and caught the earlier train all right at Reading.
I hope you liked your ride on the engine, no doubt the boys did. I hope the theatricals will go off well, they are performing “Iolanthe” in Evesham to-morrow and next day but we have not taken tickets.
I had to miss the function here last week but it went off well, the Bishop gave a nice address and took for his subject the bells, almost ignoring the clock, much to Ethel’s amusement, the collection in Church was £3-9-0 the Tea and Entertainment brought a full house and as the trays were given paid well, altogether each fund will reap nearly £4-10-0 which is very good.
Mother has engaged a Mrs Heath (formerly Haynes) late of Aldington and now of Badsey to do the washing. Mother is sending some pieces for doll dressing you must say if they will do for you.
I did not have much time with Jack on Friday he seemed pretty well, he travelled back to London with Mary Robinson, Anna was staying at Folkestone till to-day, of course they will be very busy preparing for the dance now.
I will add a postscript if we hear anything about George to-morrow. Cyril seems very well and jolly he has gone to bed now.
Mother joins me in much love to you
Your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
Tuesday Morn. George still going on very nicely.
