Badsey
Evesham
Mar 9/99
My Dear Ethel,
I have had so many evening engagements this week that I have been unable to begin my letter till now, Monday was the annual parish meeting when we elected the council as before, Tuesday was the Literary, Wednesday I had the choice of Conservative League meeting at Bretforton and Oddfellow’s dinner at Evesham, I went to the former as I was rather pledged, this afternoon we have had another rehearsal of the plays which made me rather late home, there will be two performances in our barn on April 12th 3.0 P.M. and 7.30 P.M.
I am quite pleased you keep such a good place in form and other classes. “Dip” had an excellent half term report and is 2nd in form, 3rd in mathematics set I in English subjects the report says “his essays always show intelligence” and the summary is “a most satisfactory pupil in every respect”, their holidays begin April 6th; May ceases work on the following day.
May has her new bicycle and has had a short ride or two she likes it very much and it looks a very nice machine. Cyril is just finishing “Esperanza” which interests him very much, I think he contemplates a letter to one of you shortly.
I have had some radishes planted on that warm border and hope they will do as well as last year and to-day the first peas have been put in, our broccoli is rather early this season some of the heads have been spoilt by the recent frost, I hope it will not all be over by the holidays but am not certain.
The hens are now laying from 40 to 50 eggs a week, the two early sittings were no good.
Arthur Mustoe had a fall, poor boy, and broke his leg afresh, he had to return to the cottage hospital, I hear he is going on comfortably but am afraid he may have a stiff joint, he will be fortunate if it makes a thorough mend.
I suppose you are rather counting the days to the holidays, I hope you will not miss the plays – we shall probably entertain the Wildings on the day.
Love to you both
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
