at Kent House, Oxton, Cheshire
June 6th 1917
My dearest Cyril
I have an hour to spare during work hours today so am taking this opportunity of writing you a few lines while I rest in the Ladies’ Lounge in the above shop.
You see directly I pause from work my thoughts wing to you, and of course during my work too to a certain extent.
I have found my work at the Labour Exchange this week to be very interesting. The Juvenile branch is especially so because one follows up the lives of the applicants to a greater extent.
Miss Griffiths, the Secretary of this branch is young and clever. She is very keen to go to India and study the women’s conditions of life out there. I told her about the College which has been started at Poona, since the war, for training the young native war widows to earn their own livings, as civil service clerks etc. She was most interested, as this is a great advance in the social life of native women and I believe the idea originated in the brain of a native man, which is even a yet more advanced sign of the times.
I wonder, dear, if you would find out particulars of this College for me – if they employ women teachers, if they have any method of placing the women in employment and if so do they appoint women from England to do this work? I cannot remember the name of the College but I read a long article about it just at the time you were in hospital at Poona.
Of course if you are still beyond Baghdad you cannot make these enquiries – but I imagine you’ll be in India when this reaches you - and if I am there too – well - I can make enquiries myself!
I’ve seen such a number of young widows today. Every day fresh numbers are plunged into mourning, it is so sad.
It will be September before I get your letters telling of your furlough. I wonder where you’ll spend it, and whether you’ll see any of your old friends of last year.
Enjoy yourself wherever you are - and write me home of your doings – don’t miss anything out – write just as though you had me with you and could talk to me.
All my love from your devoted
Mela
