Seward House
Badsey
6th April 1899
My dear Kathleen,
May & I are exiled in the drawing-room this evening while Father, Mr Wood & the boys are deep in electioneering business in the dining room; there is a School Board election here next Wednesday, so you will probably find the village somewhat excited on your arrival.
Preparations for the theatricals are going on apace, the stage has been up some days & today, Mrs Wilding, Mrs Savory & Mrs Gilpin have been hard at work, putting up curtains, art muslin, etc. etc. There was a rehearsal here on Tuesday, also today; that means getting afternoon tea for the performers, & as there are to be three more rehearsals, it strikes me there will be no peace for the wicked till it is all over. Jack was helping them out in the barn this morning & kept on being sent in first for one thing, then for another.
Arthur wired this morning, he is looking very well; he rode down from Evesham on his new bicycle & likes it very much.
I have just had a terrible blow, Mrs Nightingale is giving up the washing in May, & where I am to find another woman, I am sure I don’t know; however I must hope that someone will turn up.
Father is enclosing a cheque for £2-5-0 for Miss Smith for your examination fee, he says if you can secure first class for everything he won’t at all mind the fee!
I wrote to Grandpa for his birthday & yesterday I actually had a letter from him, it was several years since I had had one, & I can see that his handwriting gets more shaky, but he keeps wonderfully well for his age.
It is past eleven o’clock & I really must go to bed, so goodnight; with much love to you both
Believe me
your loving mother
Eugénie N Sladden
