Badsey
Evesham
Oct 28/96
My Dear Kathleen,
It is your turn for a letter this week but you must not expect a “Pandy” one as I do not seem to have much news. We have made the old farm yard look a little more tidy by wheeling all the mould in, moving the pear trees and levelling the ground as much as possible, but those dwarf roses must be moved before it can be finished off properly, the pear trees I have put against the new wall facing the stables.
Ethel has not gone in for the basket making as the class was more for the working gardeners, she and Jack started the shorthand last Thursday and yesterday they began the “Glee Society” class, Mother rather persuaded Jack to go as she thought it would be a little change from his work, I enclose the prospectus, there were rather over 40 joined, Jack is “tenor” Ethel “soprano”.
Fancy, Wickhamford have started a choir of their own under the tutelage of Joe Agg, Mr Gepp is quite pleased, for no less than 16 turned up last Sunday, many of whom are not in the habit of attending Church.
We are enclosing a postal order for 4/- which I expect will suffice, you might ask if return tickets are issued to last till Monday as if so there might be some saving in taking one, of course you go from the “other” Windsor station, I hope you will be allowed to go by the 12.35 train.
We shall like to hear from you on Sunday but shall not expect long letters if you find it difficult to make time to write.
I hope you will recover your place in form soon, it is more pleasing to go “up like a rocket” than “down with the stick.”
Jack’s tutor does not think it would be any use his going up this next exam but advises him to go on working steadily for the following one, you see he has not had time to work up several subjects new to him and which, though not exactly difficult, require considerable practice, the arithmetic too is very stiff and he wants a little more time for that.
I hope the dance is going off well this evening. Cyril was pleased with your letter and will try and answer it soon.
With love to you both I am
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
