Sisters’ Quarters
University House
Edgbaston Pk Rd
Birmingham
Nov 26th 1916
Darling
I enclose you two copies of letters I received about Cecil. Your Father and others also wrote and I will send you extracts from their letters another time.
I came back this evening feeling very rested after my night off spent at Mrs Jarvis’. I slept all night and did not get up until mid-day, so made up some arrears of sleep.
We went for a brisk country walk and a late lunch and then I went to sleep again in the afternoon! I could go to sleep again easily now if it were permissible!
Isn’t it excellent that your left arm has become as strong as your right? You really are the most marvellous being. If every soldier recovered from his wounds as satisfactorily as you do, why our army would be ten times its present size! It is very nice to know that one’s future husband is so healthy and strong – but it has its drawbacks, hasn’t it?! It is the fashion now-a-days to congratulate wives on the ill-health of their husbands! “I am delighted to hear your husband is physically unfit” is the common saying of the day! Still in my heart of hearts I’d rather have you fit and strong enough to take part in this great struggle. Fancy going through life never having struck a blow for your country. I should hate that – wouldn’t you?
Mary and baby have gone back to Dowlais – May said that they missed Baby very much but she also confided in me that relations were getting a bit strained between Mary and them owing to the fact that the former simply lived in the house but never leant a hand except now and then very grudgingly, consequently things were a bit difficult. I know Mary has strange views that matrimony alters everything, that one can simply please oneself after one is married!
I often felt angry with her when your Mother was ill at any time, she did so very little for her. I feel mean talking about her like this but nevertheless it is the truth.
I wonder if I shall hear from you this week as I had two letters last week.
All my love
From
Your devoted
Mela
