Marshgate House
Richmond
Surrey
2nd December 1915
My dear Eugénie
I am writing to wish you many happy returns of your birthday and wish that next year this terrible war will be over and you will have your three sons in England once more. You must have been delighted to see George lately. I enclose a postal order for £1 for you to get something you may like with. How you must be enjoying Arthur and Mary’s Baby. Will they remain with you till after Christmas? Fred and Florence came home yesterday, it is nice to have them back. I have been alone for more than a fortnight. Evelyn Gardiner has been very poorly with a bronchial attack, so they stayed longer than they meant to for Fred was able to help him in many ways. Florence is pretty well again but Fred has a cold so he has stayed indoors today. Archie and Sylvia have been spending the day with us, he goes to France on Sunday, then she will go with her Baby to stay with her mother. Have you a servant now? If so, I hope she will be nice and at any rate remain through the winter. Has Cyril really started for Serbia? I was glad to hear that Jack has at last been able to take the rest of his holiday and he seems to have had a very nice time. I have had a long letter from Mary this week, they are very anxious about Miles’ wife, she has never recovered from the birth of her second child and is now in Calcutta in order to undergo an operation. I hope it will be a success and that she may then be restored to health. I heard from Harry lately he is trying to get as many mittens as he can for his 1100 men, Mary has sent him some and the girls of our National schools are making some. I learned from his Colonel a little while ago asking for help for a Christmas entertainment for the men so of course I sent something. Harry’s last leave was from Saturday afternoon till early Monday morning, that was 13th to 15th noon on Sunday, he had a very full day, going after breakfast to the Town Hall, from there to the Roman Catholic church with his friend, Dr Hartour, new mayor, then dined with him afterwards at the Town Hall (early dinner), they sat down 18 he had tea with us and then went to the Club to take his “Lads” class at 6 o’clock, then with them to church parade at the Parish church and brought our National schoolmaster back to supper. Harry is learning to ride and is now getting on, of course he will never feel as at home on horseback as if he had learnt as a boy, but he finds it will be useful in his work and a Captain is expected to ride. He is very busy and has to see about ammunition and coals as well as food and various other things. They have trench works and night alarms. Anna tells us Dalgarno can read figures up to 3 having learnt by playing with a yard measure. I get such nice letters from Edwin and he is improving under the treatment, he has gained 8 1bs. Much love to you all.
Ever your loving sister
Mary Anna Robinson
