Seward House, Badsey
12th November/96
My dear Kathleen
It is really my week to write to May, but Father will not be able to write to either of you this week & Jack has written to May, so you shall have the benefit of my scrawl. Father has gone to Pandy today & last night we were at the Literary; he says he shall not feel hurt if neither of you manage to send him a letter next week. I think you were lucky girls to get such nice presents from Uncle and Auntie; their address at Brighton is 35, Regency Square, so now you will be able to write & thank for your visit. I daresay the mighty cake has disappeared by this time! Arthur’s report came the other day, a very good one, everything is “good” & conduct “excellent” & he is 8th in form for the half term. George was 4th in form last week, I am so glad, as I think he must be working better this term. Ethel sends her love & thanks you for sending the sixpences for Kilburn, she is trying to collect enough this week to buy a blanket, I saw some nice ones the other day at Righton’s for 1/9 ½ each; she has got enough for it. Mary is not a success, she is so slow & so stupid, however I must try & put up with her for a bit, at least if she means to put up with me, but that I rather doubt, as I don’t think she loves work. To make things worse she scalded her hand this morning, so now she can do less than ever. We had rather a pleasant evening at the Horace Haynes’ last night; the reading was Acts III & IV of a Winter’s Tale; we have a new member, Mr. Waugh, Vicar of Harvington, who has a very nice voice & he sang, Father even enjoyed hearing him. He also played a solo on the violin. Mr & Mrs Savory are home, but I have not seen them yet, Cynthia & Mr Remington came back on Saturday. Father has bought a second hand bicycle. I expect he will find it very useful when he has learned to ride; Jack is trying it now. Father has sold several dozen rose-trees this week, more than enough to pay for the bicycle. It is prayer-time & I must leave off, so with much love to you both
I remain
Your loving mother
Eugénie N Sladden
P.S. you will be glad to hear that we killed two pigs yesterday, so there will be no bother of that kind next holidays.
