12 Charleville Circus
Sydenham SE
Feb 14 1915
My dear Mother
Time is getting on but I must write you a few lines before going to bed. We went down to the evening service at Barts and stayed to the organ recital afterwards. We always enjoy Dr Shinn’s music very much. He is a splendid organist. We had rather a long sermon too so it was quite late when we got in; it was such a good sermon that one did not mind however. The Vicar is away for his health for a long time and this man is taking his place. May heard him when she was up here and I think he preached well then. He seems a very good man. (I have just re-read what I have written and find it very incoherent but I hope it is just intelligible.)
I am sorry to hear you have been having a cold and hope a day or two in bed has put it right. I was afraid when I heard of Father’s cold that you might catch it. I am glad to hear Father’s is better. It has been horrible weather so you have not missed much by not going out. I do not suppose you went to church today but I daresay you read the psalms. Wasn’t the second evening one remarkably appropriate? The whole tone of it, as well as the special complaints of “breaking down the camed work” and so on.
I am glad Mary and Ethel were going over to Birmingham and hope they brought a better account of Mela. I hope she is not getting knocked up with her work. I had a few lines from Cyril on Thursday, written very late at night after a long day. He was driven to write by dire need of a pair of pyjamas! You may have heard from him since. He says he is very comfortable and finds the Vicar a pleasant genial man; he knows “Passon” and has preached at Badsey. He and Cyril have many mutual Oxford friends. The lady of the house sometimes makes Boo feel he is a bit of a nuisance. Boo says, “I truly am but that is not my fault.” The small daughter of four seems to be his devoted admirer. We must tell Mela, I think! He is very busy with brigade training and on Wednesday he had no time for a meal between 6.30 breakfast and 5 o’clock tea. I hope his capacity for eating a large breakfast does not fail him even at the early hour of six o’clock.
Jack and I have had a quiet weekend. It rained nearly all yesterday so I only went down to do a little shopping in the afternoon, otherwise made use of a quiet day doing accounts, settling up small bills, subscriptions etc (writing cheques like Mr Begent), writing a few notes, practising (I have done quite a lot of practising lately) and getting on with the settee cover which is now finished. Today was wet again but cleared up in the afternoon and Jack and I went for a walk about three miles through Dulwich Park; the longest walk I have been for a long time and I hardly felt any rheumatism so I really think it is practically well. I had been wearing with much comfort some velvet shoes (boots almost) which come right up the ankle, very cosy and warm and edged with fur and I think it has done the ankles good. My legs and arms have been much better too, especially the last three or four days. I am anxious to hear when May is going to have that gland removed and how long it is likely to give her any trouble. I expect she is writing today and will tell me. Now I must go to bed. With much love and hoping you are better.
Your loving daughter
Kathleen
PS – We are very pleased indeed about the news of Mary’s expectations. I imagine you are very delighted at the prospect of becoming a granny at last.
