A day off at 53 Clarence Road, Kingsheath
Nov 26th 1915
My own dear Sweetheart
I am spending my day off at Elsie Jarvis’. If you have had my previous letters you will know the reason why I have not gone to Badsey, namely, that I have been nursing mumps, and a scarlet fever in its earliest stages and I thought it wiser not to go anywhere where there are children. Dolly Molly is still down at Badsey and it would not do to let her run the risk of infection.
I got here last night about 7.30. Mr Jarvis was away on night duty at Kynock’s, so Elsie was quite glad of my company. I slept very late this morning and was not allowed to get up to breakfast, a very nice dainty meal being brought to me. I came down about 10.30 am - and while Elsie was busy with her household duties I read some very interesting and amusing articles in Blackwood’s and other magazines.
In this month’s Blackwood – Ian Hay finishes his articles on “The First Hundred Thousand”; in the following editions he is to continue his articles on the “Junior Subaltern”. The account in today’s magazine is about the Battle at Loos and the taking of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Another article, very amusingly written by a Red Cross Pro, kept me in fits of laughter. Her description of hospital life is absolutely true to life, and how ludicrous civilians appear when suddenly transformed into orderlies, RAMC Lieutenants, Territorial nurses and VADs! I believe one of our Pro’s must have written the article as two of the incidents mentioned occurred in our hospital!
About 12 o’clock Elsie and I sallied forth for a brisk country walk, and like you and Captain Attlee we had settled affairs of State and put the world straight before we got indoors again. We came in for a delicious lunch, with good appetites, prepared by Elsie earlier and cooked by the maid. After lunch we chatted and knitted until 3 pm when Elsie had to sally forth to her singing lesson. I accompanied her as far as the train and then returned here to write to you.
We talk a great deal about housekeeping, and Elsie seems to think my ideas on that subject are pretty sound. I have a high opinion of her abilities in this direction, she is a most comfortable and yet economical housekeeper. We are both agreed that it is a mistake to pay a high rent even if you can afford it. They could afford a bigger house than this now but prefer instead to take a little cottage in the country and have both houses rather than live in a big house. The rent of this house is only £30 a year. It has a drawing room, opening out on to a nice little garden, a dining room, kitchen etc, 4 bedrooms and a bathroom. The cottage has larger rooms than this and the rent is only £15 a year!
As they pay so little in home rent, they are able to have nice books to read and many other pleasures of a lasting nature.
Sweetheart, in the peace of this little home, I was able to imagine myself with you as I fell asleep last night. All care and worry seemed removed and I went to sleep so happy. If I can feel like this now, how even more beautiful will be the realization when you come back to me.
God bless you – dear Love. All my love from
Your ever devoted
Mela
