Marshgate House
Richmond
Surrey
13th March 1914
My dear Eugénie
Thank you for sending Arthur’s address. I enclose postal orders for the schooling fund and one for Julius for the roses which I believe the Gardener planted the day before yesterday. Thank Julius with my love for seeing about them so quickly for me. I heard from Arthur yesterday, he seems very busy.
Archie’s address is: The Cottage, St Mary’s Road, Camberley, Surrey.
Last Monday I heard from Fred telling me he had heard from Gus’ wife telling him that he was in a bad state of health, he sits by the fire all day, very despondent, no appetite, and not even caring to smoke saying he is abandoned by us all and there is nothing now worth living for, he worries himself because he can’t reply to a letter you wrote him some time since, but it appears he cannot collect his thoughts to write, I have written to him since I got Fred’s letter – told him not to worry to answer it but perhaps his wife would write, or failing her Monsieur le Curé, for I understood he had called on them, I told Gus he must take something little and often and I have sent him some Benger’s food. Fanny has sent him some gingerbread nuts, knowing that he likes them, and Fred has asked Joe to send him some stout. I am so sorry about him and it is so difficult to help him much as he is so far away, if one were nearer, there are many things one could do, Fred seems to think his wife is able to nurse him now, he does not think she goes out but perhaps she can do the cooking, Fred is very busy but will go to see Gus one day if he can. I hope you will all enjoy the wedding very much, I daresay the dresses will be very pretty. Has May an old gold one, I should think it would suit her very well, Kathleen would look well in pale blue. If you can, I wish you would write to Gus, he would so like a letter, my Fanny has written to him, she came to tea yesterday with her 2 little girls. I expect that blessing of the old Tudor House was very nice and it will be a great boon to many poor boys. Mr Langton is again spending a night or 2 with us, and tonight Charlie is coming to supper and afterwards Mr Catteaus will come in and play cards with them. Harry is beginning to move into his new house today, the decorations are getting on well next door, our house will look very shabby next the new paint there still it had to be done and it is a good thing to have let it to the Borough. It is “at home” day and Henriette is in this afternoon for Bettie Lawford can’t have her lesson today. I am rather expecting Mrs Westcott.
I hope your housemaid will soon be able to come to you. My little parlourmaid came last Saturday and I think will do when she has got a little more into the way.
With my love to you all.
Your loving sister
Mary Anna Robinson
