Eynsford
Eastbourne
March 8th 1916
My dear Eugénie
I know it is a very long time since I wrote to you and I do owe you a letter – but it’s not a case of out of sight out of mind for I have been thinking a great deal about you and yours. How have you been keeping this very windy weather. I know you had a cold when last I heard and for prudence sake – if for nothing else – I hope have kept to your room and so avoided the cold air about the house. Since Monday fortnight I have been rather invalided with a throat and chest cold – bed was really comfortable for a bit but I am better and came downstairs last Sunday and now waiting a mild day to get out at any rate – for a time. My rheumatism is much better. I have followed Dr Jane Waller’s treatment as to diet and massage – the Baths have been impossible so far. I fear May must be having very unpleasant journeys to Evesham and Julius also. Indeed this weather brings much discomfort to those who at least have to make an early start in the day for Eastbourne. We have had a most unusual heavy fall of snow and it seems very disinclined to depart. I am so sorry about Norah’s illness – all her life she seems to have been so frail but this breakdown is evidently very serious and nothing according to the Doctor’s verdict can be done. I expect the trouble is chronic, possibly been going on for a long time, and not a serious developmental [?]. Monday I had a letter from Charlotte, the first for weeks, but she seems [?] although complaining of the bitter weather and the [?] Miss Woolsningham has writing much as she wanted [?] get time for her [?] as that appears the career she wishes. Charlotte says she told her weeks ago the intended to have no companion during the summer but she could [?] both other life after [?] this I gather No 3 has not been a success. I feel so sorry Cyril’s probable leave ended in smoke – it was disappointing. George had a nice leave. Is Mela still with you? I often think of her nice letter sent December – her first but not the last I hope. At present visitors are out of the question. I could not make them comfortable. Whilst this diet question is in progress, as Edith Gardner is also having a course, but different, but difficult to receive [?]. I hope in the course of a few weeks I am very much better in every way – quite hope in due course to walk to the sea. Have you Mary and the baby with you – a great amusement, the latter if [?]. I hope you have had no Zepp scares during their unwanted and unnecessary forays over the various counties. I believe last week we were prepared for them but they did not come. I had a letter from Katie Gardner this morning. In it she said I am afraid we must be very [?] as the chief cause of some infirmities only some of us hold out longer than others. Mrs George Coleman for instance, of whom I heard the other day through our doctor who is a connection of hers. He said she had been working hard all the winter helping with a GMCA walking two miles across field paths in the evenings carrying her own lantern and alone. On one occasion no one turned up but herself to amuse the men so she undertook to do it alone. She sang to them first and when her singing voice was exhausted she told them stories and they all seemed amused and contented. She really is a wonderful old lady.
I thought this would amuse you so I have told you exactly as Katie wrote it. Tell Julius the china was sold yesterday for £9-10-6. I am really quite satisfied to have no difficulty in spending it.
With love to you and all.
Yours affectionately
E Fellows
Does Ypers like the cold? Sappy has had rheumatism but it’s well now.
