Seward House
Badsey
2nd March 1915
My dear Juliet
I was very glad to hear that your cold is better and that you had been out and I hope you will not increase it again; it is very kind of Miss Fletcher to look after you so well. Dr Leslie was quite satisfied with me on Sunday and allowed me to sit up in my bedroom. I am not to do more until he comes again, I don’t suppose I shall be allowed to go out for some time, especially if it keeps so cold. It was nice to have George here for two days, even though I could only see him upstairs, he looks very well. I wonder if he managed to go and see you. I suppose he goes back to Watford tonight. Father is sitting upstairs with me after tea while May and Ethel are having a Belgian Refugee Committee meeting in the dining room. You know that De Ridder has gone and has found some work in London? There was a long letter from him yesterday, telling his experiences and thanking Badsey people for all their kindness. May is going to read it out (translating it, of course) to the committee. They may possibly arrange to have some more refugees, but if so, lodgings would have to be found, as the de Wygaerts very much dislike the idea of having any strangers with them, and I expect it would only lead to rows.
We heard from Arthur yesterday; he is still at St Nazaire but expects to move elsewhere before long. Fred Butler has gone to France, he has a commission in the Army Service Motor Transport; I think it was rather a shock to poor Aunty Fanny as he was sent off so quickly that he was not able to go home and say goodbye. May’s husband has a commission in a similar corps and is at Southampton and she is living with Aunt Fanny in his absence.
I can’t think of anything more to tell you. Living in a bedroom does not give one much to write about. Ypers is quite well and the cats are very handsome, they both come and see me.
Much love from your loving mother
Eugénie N Sladden
PS – You can get yourself a new blouse if you are short and have it put down on your school bill.
