The Blue Room
Seward House, Badsey
20th April 1915
My darling Boo
I am in bed with a nasty attack of influenza and retired here early on Sunday evening last. Yesterday there was talk of sending for Dr Leslie today but as I am feeling a bit better it is not necessary. The worst feature of this attack has been a very bad throat. I have never had such a bad one. I could hardly speak or swallow, and it prevented me sleeping. Last night, to induce sleep, I took some aspirin, so had a better night, it also seemed to clear my head a bit, and my eyes and face are not so painful. On the whole, I am distinctly better but feel very tired and slack.
Your Mother's cold was bad, too, yesterday, but she is much better today. Queenie is also laid up, she had "a temperature" yesterday - I have not heard how she is today. The curious part about my attack is that I have had a normal temperature but a quick pulse. There is no need for you to worry about me because you know I could not be in better hands. The girls are awfully good to me, making me all sorts of little dainties so that I should be tempted to eat, and light things that I could swallow.
The worst of "flu" is that it makes none so depressed but as one knows it is one of its symptoms, one does not give way to it.
Thank you very much dear for the change for my cheque. No, I wasn't in a violent hurry for it.
I will continue this later - it has made me tired writing even this little bit.
2.30 pm
I've had my orders that I am not to get up today! I am going to finish off this and then try to have a little snooze.
Your mother had a postcard today telling of the birth of a son to Captain and Mrs Orchard. It came as a great surprise to me as I didn’t know anything about it. The little boy will stand a fair chance of being spoilt by Grandma don’t you think?
I have no news as I do nothing but eat and sleep and so my letter cannot be made interesting. I read a little "Shelley" this morning but cannot take in very much in the way of reading, as the least exertion tires me. I would love you to be able to come and read to me.
Betty read me a splendid account of the fighting at Neuve Chapelle – it must have been dreadful but wonderful.
With very fondest love, sweetheart.
From your very slack and lazy
Mela
