Seward House
Badsey
Evesham
June 16/07
My dear Ethel,
I have not answered your long letter of 8th inst. earlier as Mother was writing so I thought I would delay a day or two.
Arthur is coming down on Saturday for three days only and is going to bring his friend Phillip with him for that time, then he goes up to London and will stay with the others.
Aunt Lottie and Maidie are now at Cambridge en route for the north, they were at Oxford last Tuesday stayed a night there and back by boat to Windsor, stopping one night at Henley.
The garden is looking well but wants sun, we can scarcely keep the weeds under, the roses on the walls begin to shew up nicely. We have abandoned the idea of a rose fête this year for reasons which I will explain when we meet, Mother is rather relieved for it would have involved some trouble in getting up at short notice and I hardly know when we could have found a convenient date, there are so many things on.
I am glad you have been getting about a little notwithstanding the wet. It has been fine here to-day and looks rather better but is quite cool this evening.
I expect George was at Bisley last night they were to cycle there Saturday afternoon and return some time to-day, he is very pleased with a silver pocket tobacco case which Joe has given him in remembrance of the wedding, by the way I fancy Joe is off to-morrow.
There were 12 eggs yesterday and 4 to-day so the hens are doing fairly well, the young chicken will want some shifting when you return, by the way when may we expect you, Judy manages the feeding pretty well but likes a little help when possible.
Mother has to go to a G.F.S. meeting at Hampton to-morrow. Mr & Mrs Wilton called the other day and were most chirpy.
Clara Byrd is back again rather better but has hardly got used to her new armour.
Your asparagus fern looks quite well and is up in the spare room again.
Mother made 22lbs of gooseberry jam yesterday. We picked the first strawberries, then they were not over sweet but were getting eaten.
Harry Kelland’s banns were out asked to-day so I suppose they will soon be married.
Mother joins one in love to you
Your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
