20 Church Row
Upper Hampstead NW
May 8th /13
My dear Father
Many thanks for your letter of Sunday. I got a little later news of Mother from Kathleen whom I met yesterday. I hope she continues to get stronger and that the rheumatism has quite gone. I am afraid the weather is still very trying, I think you have had more rain than we have here. I hope it will improve for Whitsuntide. So Cyril has followed Arthur’s example as usual! I do not suppose you were exactly surprised at home getting his letter and I am sure you and Mother will welcome Mela as a daughter-in-law. You will be very glad to see Kathleen tomorrow and hear all about the exciting weekend at Sydenham. Cyril is just his frank open self through it all and Mela the same, they are such a contrast to Arthur and Mary. I met Mela at Piccadilly Circus at 11 am Tuesday, to go to the Academy. She at once said, “I have some news for you, I am going to marry Cyril!” It was just like her. As you may imagine, we did not do the Academy as thoroughly as we might! Arthur had previously asked us both to meet him at 12.45 and lunch at Hatchetts close by, so we had to announce the news to him. He said he ought to have invited Cyril. We had a very smart little lunch, I was glad I had put best clothes on. I like Arthur in town dress, he looks taller and very smart. We had to fill up time between lunch and 3.50 when we had to meet Cyril at Piccadilly Circus, so had a bus ride with Arthur to Liverpool Street, left him there to go on to hospital, and came back to Selfridges’s where we rested a little, having coffee, and took bus from there. As there was only an hour until Mela’s train, I hastily departed, as I knew they were going to get the engagement ring and have tea before 4.50. I decided to find my way to Kensington and make a call or two. I called at a flat in Brompton Road, opposite the Bolton Mansions Hotel to see a girl I met in Switzerland, but they were abroad. I then walked into the hotel opposite and enquired if Mrs Wood was staying there (Mother will remember the old lady, at the Belgrave Hotel at Torquay), she was staying there but out so I left a note. I then went to Chelsea to try and find Miss Pollard, she was out to tea nearby and expected home before 6 o’clock, so I went in and waited, the maid gave me tea, it was a rest and I was ready for some tea by then, it was 5 o’clock. Miss Pollard came in rather later than she intended so I only stayed about 20 minutes. She was looking so well and was very cheery as usual and wanted to hear about everybody. I had quite a long day. I will write May a few lines now.
With much love
I am your loving daughter
Ethel N Sladden
