Trouville
Middle Deal Road
Deal
March 14th /16
My dear Mother
It was too late to post last night, so I am afraid you may not get this until Wednesday afternoon. My train was 40 minutes late here, it was quite 20 minutes late coming in to Oxford. The back coaches came straight through here, so I did not have to change at Ashford. The train was rather full at Oxford, I had to get into a SER carriage, but as everybody got out of that coach at Reading, I walked further up the train and got a corner in a comfortable GWR carriage. I was glad of my lunch, Ada gave me a liberal supply. I could not get a cup of tea anywhere, at Guildford there was a platform car on a further platform doing nothing, they might just as well have come over to our train. Mrs Tildersly very kindly sent her maid to meet me, I got an out-porter to take my luggage. I had a cup of tea directly I got to their house in Grange Terrace, then came on here. Aunt Edith was having supper. She looks very tired, but is very bright considering. Norah had been very poorly after another bad night, but was rather better later in the day. We sat up in her room until 9 o’clock when the woman came, she is a very kindly old soul, rather fat, Norah likes her so much, she is very gentle. Aunt Edith and I had a chat over the kitchen fire (the maid had gone to bed) then I helped make Norah’s bed before going back to the Tilderslys. Norah is painfully thin, though her face is the best part of her Aunt Edith says. She is pretty weak; I notice it in her voice. She only sits up to have here bed made, and washing tires her so that she has part done at night and part in the morning but yesterday morning she was so exhausted that it was all postponed until evening. She has something every two hours, beef tea, Benger’s, jelly etc. She has a little fish for her dinner. The brandy eggs and brand’s essence that I brought are all very acceptable, and both Aunt Edith and Norah send their very best thanks for them. Norah has eggs beaten up with a little brandy in it. She is not allowed milk, except in her tea. A postcard from Aunt Lottie last evening came to say she was coming over today if fit. She arrived about 11.45. She came by motor bus to Dover and on by train, but goes back all the way by train at 5.40, so I must walk to the station with her. She is sitting upstairs with Norah now, and Aunt Edith is there too. Norah likes to talk a little and listen to others if she does not want to herself. She likes being read to but does not read to herself, it tires her. I expect I shall read to her sometimes, Aunt Edith may not for very long. Aunt Lottie looks pretty well, she is glad to hear news of all from home. Norah had rather a better night, what sleep she had was more restful. She had a new sedative medicine last evening, the other was no good and made her feel so ill too. She gets terrible flatulence, I wonder if that peppermint liqueur of yours would relieve it at all. If you could safely send a small bottle by post from your bottle, just for her to try, I wish you would, then if it did her good we could get a bottle down here if Father would send me the name of it. I was busy this morning in many little ways, when I know where things are kept it will be easier. I made beef tea for Norah, and as Aunt Lottie was coming for dinner I felt more responsibility about the dinner! I made some tomato soup and fried some bread which was a success, then cold meat and potatoes next, and I warmed up an apple pudding (your way) adding more apple and made a baked custard. I trimmed a stove and lamp, went down the town shopping and to the bank, so really could not write until after dinner which they have at 1.
It is foggy here, but a good deal warmer, it was rather misty part of the way here yesterday, and quite foggy the latter part of the way. It was a falling fog when I went out this morning. Last evening between 8 and 9 we had thunder, the lightning was quite bright. Norah is rather nervous of sounds, rather naturally in her weak state, I think she thought it was guns at first. I have just written to Marian for Aunt Edith, the latter’s hand is very stiff at present, but it is out of a sling. It was her fall that made it necessary to send for Marian in a hurry. Aunt Lottie slipped on the snow one day and bruised herself, and Aunt Edith says her brother, Mr Potter, had a nasty fall a short time ago, so it has been in the family lately! Norah was very pleased with the violets Mrs Ashwin sent her, and seemed quite struck by her kind thought for her. I hope Mela came back yesterday, and is having a good rest. I hope your cough is not any worse. I am glad that Mrs Tildersly has given me a latch key to use, I felt it so trying to have to ring every time I wanted anything from my room. I must run in now and fetch a few things I want and post these letters at the same time. Norah likes to have letters I think. Mrs Ladd comes on Friday. I shall have everything to do on Thursday morning as Kathleen the maid is to be confirmed that day, and it is early, she has to be at the hall by 9.30. Much love to you all.
Your loving daughter
Ethel N Sladden
