Holy Trinity Vicarage
Folkestone
3rd December 1914
My dear Eugénie
I received your letter of the 26th inst. Julius will have told you that he saw me on Saturday evening here, it was an agreeable surprise, as I did not think he would have returned to Folkestone after the funeral, so I did not expect to be able to see him during his short visit at Charlotte’s.
Florence is getting on, but the doctor is keeping her in her room all this week, but we hope to go to Clifton next week, Selena having offered us her house there, so we may be there some little time, as I see no chance yet of returning to Brussels. Our address at Clifton will be 8 The Fosseway.
I occasionally get a chance of sending a few lines to our cook in Brussels who, with her husband, has charge of our house, but I do not know whether she received them. I have heard nothing fresh as to the Hodson children, but I have no doubt they are with their parents; it is not easy to know how things are going on in Brussels, the news is rather contradictory, but I fear that some, at least, of the Englishmen there have been arrested.
I was glad to hear that Arthur has been able to have his wife over.
Courtney’s wounded hand is getting on well, too well Ethel thinks, as he may soon return to the front; he is just now working with the 3rd Battalion of his Regiment, which is on the east coast. You may have noticed Courtney’s name among the list of the 3.S.E.? published yesterday.
Gus would be all right if his wife were a wise woman, she is devoted enough in many ways, but depressing to live with being always full of grievances.
Archie and Sylvia are getting on very well in their nice little house at Camberley; we spent two days with them last October.
So May and Ethel may be wanted as nurses soon; if so, nearly all your children will be engaged with the army.
When we are settled at Clifton, I will try and come down and see you all. Florence will have to be very careful this winter, I expect, and will have to stay in a good deal.
Much love from us both to you all.
Your affectionate brother
Fred
PS – Polly seems to be quite well; will return to Richmond with Anna and her boy next Tuesday.
