Seward House
Badsey
Evesham
June 11/12
My dearest Wife,
It was very nice to have such a cheerful letter from you on Sunday and to find you had been down stairs and into the garden, how you must enjoy seeing a little less of your bedroom! Then the news of your first drive which came in Ethel’s letter this morning was excellent and I hope if you have had such a perfect summer day as we have had here that you have been out for another drive to-day.
Judy went off in capital spirits to-day, I went with her in the train to Honeybourne and Cyril was to meet her at Oxford at 12.45 Jack undertook to meet her at Paddington at 5.50 and I hope he left her safely at school some hours ago. I sent Miss Lacey a cheque for the school account as rendered but she will make some allowance on the maintenance a/c on the next bill, Juliet took her up a few roses, the big box went in advance yesterday.
I think Cyril will be down for the opening of the fountain, Lord and Lady Lifford hope to come, also Mrs Rudge. I think the garden ought to be looking very nice for the roses are coming on nicely and with warm weather they should be well out, they are certainly early this year and the plants are making such good growth that the bloom should be a prolonged one. May is busy with her work as usual and we seem reduced to such a tiny household, it will be quite pleasant to have a few more about.
I find there is only one case of scarlatina in the place at present and that is on the Bretforton road, I hope it will spread no further.
Mr Ashwin’s land sold mostly very well yesterday, the new manor people bought that piece next the old school and the grass field beyond, I hear they paid a stiff price, there were two of the “students” at Church on Sunday they are roughing it at the house for a few days, I saw them in the street yesterday and spoke to them they were quite town bred lads but well behaved indeed quite respectful, they told me they thought there would be about 22 later on, they want to get some work in the gardens as they have yet to learn the work.
It is late so I will close this, tell Ethel she shall hear before long again, my love to her and to you dear wife
Your loving Husband
Julius Sladden
