at Seward House
Badsey
Sept 23rd 1914
My darling Cyril
We have done very little of any consequence the last few days, especially me, having only just come down! (1 pm). Yesterday I got up to breakfast and did one or two things about the house but this seems to upset me again and I went off to sleep from 12 to 2 on the sofa in the morning room.
The afternoon I spent in the garden, well wrapped up, reading “Lewis Rand”. Today I had strict orders to remain in bed for a bit but should have got up if I’d had my own way as I feel a good deal better, although not quite myself. Last night your Mother thought she saw signs of improvement because to use her own words “I was getting cheeky”! I’m never cheeky am I! Am sure if you’d been here you would have asked her to extract her words!
We were glad of a few lines from you telling of your arrival. We were amused to know there was an ‘armistice’ for lunch and wondered if the Kaiser granted armistices in time of war for all meals.
I hope you have got off lightly again after the second time of inoculation and that they are not giving you much to do today.
Matron sent me a pattern of material for indoor uniform, it is dark blue stripes on a white ground and would I think have the effect of making one look taller than one really is.
After Lunch
What do you think I heard the little Mother calling Ethel? ‘A bloomin’ German’. She’d got it out of this week’s Punch and used it because Ethel said she had seen the Kaiser once! I told her I should tell you the awful expressions she has taken to using!
Kath has not written since she saw George but just a few lines came from Betty this morning saying he was well and the colour of red brick, but she was very sorry he has to wear his hair cropped as short, and she does not like him wearing a moustache.
Kath said in her last letter to me she thought Cecil would be going to Egypt probably and not to France but as his address is the Exped: Force, France, I think she must be mistaken. I wish that she were right, he’d be much safer.
I’ve got some more wool so you’ll soon have your socks. I’ll have them washed and marked with your name.
Mind you let me have any that are in need of mending. I am looking forward to hearing from you tomorrow and am wondering if you will know in time to tell me if you are coming here this week-end.
Have you seen this week’s Punch? Herr von Kollwegs letter to the Kaiser is simply delicious. Many of the things are very good including a piece of admirable satire in poetry by A.M.M.
Well – dearest – as I’ve done practically nothing the last few days I cannot write more, so will send this epistle.
With very best love and a kiss (only one – mind you – one has to practise Economy in every branch of life during the war!) Hoping you will be able to come down here again.
Ever your own loving
Mela
