28/4/16
My dear Father
Our mails come through very spasmodically; today I had quite a bunch of letters including yours and the copy of Cyril’s letter in which I was very much interested. I will send it on to George tomorrow.
Juliet’s postcard giving news of Cyril was very welcome, and I hope his arm will make a steady recovery and be not materially weakened.
I am glad to get news of Mother and hear she is able to carry on the exercises, of course these things move slowly, that cannot be helped. I am enclosing a cheque for £5 towards the Bath chair. I hope it will be comfortable and useful and enable her to get out for the benefit of the fresh air and the change of scene which gets tiresome when continually restricted to house and garden.
The last few days here have been delightful, very warm, but with some air moving. The trees have made great progress at last, and the Normandy orchards look delightful with the apple blossom and fresh leaves out.
I have managed to make two afternoon excursions this week, to two different parts of the Seine. The river is pretty here, we are in a big loop of it, so that both up and down stream the river is within an hour’s walk of the camp.
I heard of Mrs Lambert’s visit through Anna and called to see her, but found her out. As a matter of fact the day before I got Anna’s letter Geoffrey Lambert died, though I didn’t learn that till later.
We keep pretty busy here, the volume of work tends to increase, but with good arrangement one can get it done rather quicker.
I imagine this Irish business has been fermented by Germans and Irish-Americans in the hope of influencing USA at a critical moment. I only hope that the matter will be dealt with very firmly and taken right out of the hands of the politicians.
The little chair you speak of will be very nice for Baby on her next visit, Mary is going to get one for her at Dowlais as she begins to sit up so much now. Hubert was there for Easter, and well pleased with her progress.
I suppose in another week or so you may hope to hear from Cyril by letter. He will probably go to Poona from Bombay so Indian people say here.
Harold Allsebrook’s will be a longish business, I hope he is reported as doing well.
How are the April blossoms developing this year?
Tell Mother I will write soon. I asked Mary to get a bottle of Eau de Cologne for her at Easter for me – but expect my letter reached her rather late. With love to all at home.
Your affectionate son
Arthur F Sladden
