Marshgate House
Richmond
Surrey
16th April 1916
My dear Eugénie
Thank you for your letter giving me much news. Last Sunday we had a visit from Jack, Kathleen and Ethel, it was so kind of them to come but I was sorry to hear you were not so well again, this holiday time there will be plenty of daughters to take care of you. I expect you sometimes try to do too much and then of course spring is a very trying time of the year. You, like Fanny, have much anxiety about your sons. Florence, heard from her lately, she said she felt as if she was getting about after a long illness. I hope when the weather is fit you will live as much as you can in the garden, that will be good for you and also pleasant. I much enjoyed Mary’s short visit and she did a good deal in the time. I am very pleased to have seen her more especially as I do not think I shall be able to visit them this summer as they kindly wish. I am glad May is going to them this week and I hope she will have fine weather. I have had a few days visit from Anna and Dalgarno, they went back to Folkestone on Tuesday. Last Sunday, Fred took Dalgarno for a walk between breakfast and church time; Dalgarno, Anna came to the Parish Church with me and Fred and Florence went to Holy Trinity which they like very much. Yesterday Fred went to Camberley to see Ethel and the grandchildren. Courtney has started for the Front, after a fortnight’s other work he will be on the staff. Anna and I went to the Sherrards on Monday and they had heard from Mrs Lambert that the Doctor thought one of his legs would have to be amputated. We have not heard anything more yet both legs were wounded but I still hope his leg may not be taken off for I know so many limbs have been saved in this war, anyway I hope he is now out of danger, he is in hospital at Rouen but which I do not know, but Anna has the address and was going to write and ask Arthur to go and see Mrs Lambert, whose address I think she also took, it might comfort her to see the relation of friends, she is able to be a good deal with Geoffrey and he was so pleased to see her. Fred is going to Camberley again on Wednesday, then he will stay the night to help Ethelwyn move some of her things from the house they have been in for some time, she is taking rooms next Archie for a time – then means to go to their old lodgings at Hythe. In that case, I expect Florence and Fred will pay them a visit in the summer; they are also invited to go to Sydenham to the William Gardiners for a fortnight so that will be a nice change for them – whilst they are away I shall have their room decorated, it wants it badly, it ought to have been done after my operation and now of course it is worse. Harry is at Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex but does not think it right for me to go there. He is much better and finds the air there so good. Archie had tea with us yesterday and seemed much brighter, he is going back to his company after Easter. I am expecting all Fanny’s daughters to spend the day with us on Tuesday when Lance is to have an operation for appendicitis. I hope he will do well. Edwin has had an accident at the farm but was getting better, pray for Lance, please, dear.
Much love to you all. I hope you will soon get good news of Cyril.
Your loving sister
Mary Anna Robinson
