14/12/14
My dear Mrs Sladden
Arthur is posting to you today so this can go in his letter and then it will probably get to you before the 25th. I hope you will have a happy Xmas, this year one cannot wish anyone a merry Xmas for some I am afraid it will be a very sad time.
A short time ago I did not dare to hope that Arthur and I would be able to spend ours together, it seemed impossible but wasn’t and now we are very happy.
Mela, I suppose will spend her Xmas at Birmingham, how surprised she must have been to hear that I was coming out here. At Dowlais they will be a fairly large party as Hubert, Rene and Geoffrey will probably go up for a few days. Possibly George or Cyril will be able to get some leave and join you, it would be very nice if they could.
Yesterday I went to call on a French lady, the wife of a French officer. Miss Barrow, the head sister was invited, and she asked if she might bring me. We had a very nice time and I had a long conversation in French with the grandmother. The two little boys and their mother spoke a little English and the governess was English but there were three other people who spoke French only so we had to do our best and really got on very well. They seemed to take it for granted that I would speak French, although I assured them it was only “un peu” and chatted away about all sorts of things.
The “appartement” is still satisfactory. The owner is off paying visits to various friends so we are not disturbed quite so often and are very thankful.
Will you give my love and best wishes to all the others and with much love to yourself.
Yours affectionately
Mary
