SLADDEN & COLLIER
THE BREWERY
Offices: High Street
EVESHAM
Feb 3 1898
My Dear Kathleen,
I may as well begin a letter to you at the office even if I have to finish it later on. I was sorry your maps pulled you down to 3rd at the first start and I can only advise you to try and pile on marks in other subjects to neutralise the weak point in that direction for you were evidently not in the way “when maps were served out.” Arthur managed to come out 2nd for the first week and in mathematics his master is taking him on a little ahead of the rest. Georgie says three boys have been moved out of his form so he hopes to have a chance of a prize later on, he says his birthday cake is “prime”. Mary Robinson has given him such a nice watch guard made up out of an old silver chain of hers. May wrote much more cheerfully last Sunday and will no doubt soon find the strangeness wear off, she and Jack are to meet on Saturday and have a good long afternoon together. Jack’s detailed marks are out, we are sending May a summary of them and will ask her to pass them on to you, he did very well in Geography and rather well in Arithmetic, but three or four subjects, notably manuscript, pulled him back a bit, I think he ought to push marks on, more or less, on most subjects during the next few months. Arthur says another boy at Brecon, Denny, has a sister at Clewer. There is to be a dance in our barn to-night in aid of the bell fund. I am afraid it will be rather cold, especially for those who sit out. Baby is very good and usually manages to sleep pretty well through the night.
We have sent the top of the kitchen range away to have a new one made to pattern so are obliged to do without a fire there, Mrs Nightingale has built up a sort of fire place in the back-kitchen as a makeshift but of course we cannot bake. The rose bed is finished at last 1035 plants, I hope they will do well for it has been quite a big job. I have just brought this letter down to Badsey to finish, Mother wants to send some things with it, the washing of the blouse has delayed them hitherto, the pink shawl is sent as the white one was all in rags. The barn is all ready now there is a short entertainment before dancing begins, I believe I am expected to read something, the refreshments are really very nice, provided by many different people, they are to be sold at a very moderate tariff. Mother and I went to the Literary on Tuesday at Tower House, it went off very well, I read Bassanio for Mrs Price, who was absent. I hope the various items will travel well.
Love from us all
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
Pandy to-morrow but back same night.
