Seward House
Badsey
2nd July 1897
My dear Kathleen
I must send you a few lines with May’s epistle from Father: I wonder how the prize-giving went off & whether you were successful in getting a prize. Ethel has got the measles, did you ever hear of such a tiresome child! when she has had them already. On Wednesday I came to call her and found her face all out in a rash, Father said we must let Mr Haynes see her & make sure what was the matter & so we did & she has been in bed ever since. She says she isn’t ill a bit, & that I ought to be in bed, instead of her. It is rather a good thing we have a servant. Annie is getting on pretty well with the work, but she is so ugly and uncouth, however she really doesn’t seem a bad sort, so we must try to put up with her looks. I have had Phillis here for the last three days doing up a lot of mendings, the amount that had accumulated was quite appalling, however she has done a good lot & if I get her in again for a day or two we shall be quite respectable again. I heard the other day that Uncle Gus was very ill. Auntie Polly has had the news from Uncle Fred, & they seem rather doubtful whether he will recover, he is in Alexandria. You must put up with a short letter, it is nearly post time & I am sitting in Ethel’s room where it is fearfully hot, & she keeps talking to me so I can’t get on. Isn’t it jolly about Dip’s scholarship?.
With much love to you both
I am
Your loving mother
Eugénie N. Sladden