Seward House
Badsey
20/11/16
My dear Mela
I was so sorry to hear that at last you have had the worst news of Cecil. I always hoped that you would find he was alive even though you could not hear from him himself. Dear, I wish I could say something to help and comfort you in your grief, and perhaps I can for he died so bravely and nobly that in the midst of it all you must be feeling very proud of him.
Words do not help much or if I had time I would come over and see you but I am afraid I have not. Baby and I leave here on Thursday and my time till then will be quite full up with packing and getting things ready for travelling.
Tonight I had a card from your mother and am afraid from what she says that my letter of thanks, written over a fortnight ago never reached her. She must think me very ungrateful. I wonder what happened to it, in fact I am wondering whether you ever got the letter to forward for me. I enclosed it in one for you and as you say nothing about it, I am afraid both hers and yours are gone astray. I’ve written to her again tonight explaining that I wrote directly I received the socks and I hope this letter will reach her fairly soon.
It is hard luck about Cyril’s letters but mails have been very erratic just lately so you may get a post any day. Arthur’s letters have been arriving by fits and starts and I gather it is the same with my letters to him.
He is very [?] again and is finding it very cold. Living in tents this weather is not all joy. I have told him about Cecil tonight, he will be very sorry to hear. I expect he’ll tell Captain Hill when he sees him.
Ethel goes off on Wednesday and with May away on Thursday they’ll be feeling a very small party indeed.
I am writing this tonight but will send it by May on Wednesday. I shall not have time to write tomorrow and anyway I wanted to write to you at once.
If it is fine tomorrow, there is a very big if about it for it has been awful today, Duck-a-duck is to be photographed. I am going to take her up to Evesham in the morning to Gegg. This is a secret from Arthur and everyone except you and the family here so don’t pass it on. I do hope it will be fine, i do so want to have her done. Then when we’ve finished at the photographer’s, we are going to take her up to the school for Miss [?] to see her and for Babs to see the children drilling and hear them sing. Won’t she love it. She’ll want to march too and I am sure she will sing, she always sings “ah” loudly when she hears Judy practising. Miss Allen was much amused to hear her do so a few days ago.
It is getting late so I must stop. Goodbye dear, keep as cheerful as you can and remember that lots of us are thinking of you.
With much love and sympathy from
Mary
Babs sends you a kiss.
