Carlisle House
8 Cheriton Place
Folkestone
16th November 1914
My dear Eugénie
All of a sudden I remembered I had not sent you the 30 shillings I ought to have done in September for the schooling fund. Please forgive me, for a long time I did not lead my usual life so that may have caused me to forget. I enclose it now. It was very nice seeing so much of Ethel when she was staying with Charlotte. I suppose she is home again. Now I thought her looking so well. I am glad Arthur’s wife is with you. I hope she will soon be able to let their flat. Anna and I went to see Fred and Florence on Saturday, she is much better, but not yet well, they are very comfortable where they are and it is cheap, but Hythe is too bleak for her, she would like to go to Devonshire but I think is not yet well enough to travel. Of course, Hythe is far better for Fred than Devonshire because if he has to go to London on business it is so much nearer. He looks very well, I think the sea air suits him perfectly, he has found out that Annie’s children have been at Crocodile all the time and for three days were in a cellar on account of the firing. Steps were to be taken to get them back to Brussels, so they may be there now, but I am afraid there is very little food to be had and I think the people are given rations. I shall so like to hear news of your four sons when you write and especially where Arthur is now. I have been to see the Doctor again this morning and he will apply electricity again on Thursday to a spot that is too soft. I shall be so glad when it is cured, for I should like to go home before long, though I am very happy here with Anna and Dalgarno, he likes me to read to him now. I have taught him to build houses with cards, he is so patient when they tumble down and tries over and over again. At last Anna has found a Belgian couple to look after, they are people in commerce at Malines but had to come away with a few 100 francs and hardly anything with them and he can’t get at any more money at present. She had her first baby at a home in Sandgate Road on Saturday. There are two houses there used for the refugees so they have been in one of them some time, now she is laid up Anna has got him board and lodgings with some comfortable people she knows very well. When his wife is strong enough to travel Fanny and Charlie will take them in, Anna paying for them. Anna did not ask them to do so but they offered for Mrs Livesey was to have had them but dear has taken scarlet fever so that put a stop for the time being to her kindness. I have heard lately from Harry, recruits are coming in slowly to the regiment he has joined, but they have not yet got the number they want, but he keeps very busy, they manage to get up a concert once a week for the men. We see a good deal of Charlotte which is very nice. She goes to see poor Lizzie once a week, she seems to be gradually losing strength but I am thankful she does not suffer. I am glad Marian is so devoted to her, it must be a great comfort to a childless woman. Anna joins me in love to you all. I was very grieved yesterday morning to hear of Lord Roberts’ death. I admired him so much, he was so honest as well as capable.
Believe me, your loving sister
Mary Anna Robinson
