Seward House
Badsey
15th March 1899
My dear Ethel,
I have been to church this evening, & will now sit down & write your weekly letter.
I heard from Jack yesterday that he had arranged to leave the Bank next Saturday; if it suits Aunt Lottie, he will go to Folkestone for a few days & then come home; so you will find him here on your return, unless of course, he should get an appointment by that time, but Father does not think that probable.
I heard from Anna yesterday, she wants to come to us on the 28th April, I also had a letter from Auntie Polly, they all seem to have had colds & Uncle was not very well again.
Owing to Mr Walton’s death little Francis Edwin has not yet been christened, but is to be next Saturday at Holy Trinity Church, Richmond, Edwin was the grandfather’s name.
I hear Auntie Fanny moves from Byfleet tomorrow, they have taken a furnished house in Weybridge for a bit; Auntie has sent me several parcels lately, amongst other things, such a nice pelisse for Baby, too big for her yet, but very nice in another year or so, also a nice little muff for her. She has sent me the bonnet she wore at Fanny Walton’s wedding, such a pretty one.
Baby tumbled out of the dining room window this afternoon, I was sitting at Father’s table & she was toddling about near the window, I don’t know whether she slipped or whether she tried to lean out of the window, but all of a sudden, out she went, & rolled on to the gravel path; she didn’t hurt herself fortunately, but of course was rather frightened & had a little roar, she really rolled over most neatly.
I don’t think your arums look much like flowering this spring, when you are at home, you will have to turn out some of the plants upstairs which evidently don’t mean to come up any more.
We had a lovely day for Clara’s Confirmation, Mrs Price drove me up to Bengeworth church with her & another girl; there were a lot of candidates, two hundred I should think; I did not care much for the Bishop of Coventry’s address. Clara looked so nice, she had a white piqué dress such as nurses wear, made quite simply, & a cap like yours; the other candidates from here were May Cull, Florrie Keen, Minnie Hartwell & a Pope from Wickhamford & young Herbert Gladys Haynes was confirmed. Mrs Price is getting on pretty well & Mr P seems very pleased with the baby.
I went down to the Mothers’ meeting this afternoon, Mrs John Keen & Mrs Julius Kyte were the only ones there, I expect they will have to leave off soon.
With much love to you both
Believe me
your loving mother
Eugénie N Sladden
