Badsey
Evesham
Nov 20/97
My Dear May,
As I must send your letter up to post to-morrow, Sunday, I had better get it written this evening.
I have just come down from seeing Mother and she sends her love and joins me in wishing you very many happy returns of the day, we will give you a prayer book if you would like that for a present, but it may as well wait until you get home.
I am sure you and Kathleen will be glad to receive my note, posted this morning, Mother is getting on so nicely and seems quite bonnie this evening. Mary will write to you to-morrow so you will then get one day’s later news. The baby is such a good little thing, plump and with a little hair, somewhat fair in colour, nurse says she is a very nice baby and I think as babies go she is rather presentable, of course we must have the christening while you are all at home, the next thing to think of is the name or names, you had better suggest some for consideration. It is such a comfort having Mary here, I do not know how we should get along without her.
To-day I have done a bit more rose planting but it a long job, however I shall soon knock a hole in it if the weather keeps open and I can get a few hours occasionally. I am rather tired having had but a short rest last night viz 11 to 12.30 and 4 to 8 the interval being partly occupied by a walk to Evesham and back! I had a good many letters and post cards for the pillar box this morning, as you can imagine. Mrs Nightingale is stopping in the house at present which is convenient, we are still servant hunting and had another disappointment to-day, it really seems as if they won’t come.
Give our love to Kathleen and with the same to yourself and the best of good wishes to you on your birthday my dear girl
I remain
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
