Dearest Puss
16 Decr
I have written all I can to help you about the Bouquet Duprez[?] woman & intend to post this tonight. Jack has taken the parcel into town to post it as today is the parcel post day & you ought to get the parcel of the Fan[?] at the same time. We have written to you about that two or three days ago you must please yrself abt it, dear. I must write & thank Carry & the Ad1 for their kindness to you. I do so love to hear that you are with cheerful companions. Both yr father & I felt that you required & had earned a change & I do hope you will continue to meet with kindess & attention. We are quite well, I hasten to assure you & I am takeing the greatest care of him & myself & I have taken nearly a box of tonic pills, & have another in the house! ready! Yr letters have all been properly prepaid! —
I am glad you have had the bicycle lessons & can do it. If you have any difficulty take more lesson, & hire one from time to time to keep up in practice. Of course, my must get a bicycle skirt or costume & I indended to tell you to get a wrinkle as to under garments so many females wear only combination & rationals now, & I suppose they are more comfortable when cycling so it wd be well to have some. What do you think about them, & what does Carry wear? and what does she think about these fashions? Does Lisa Byke? I remember that I bought some very good underclothes at that shop in Alexandra Grdns at Folkestone & not expensive. You might look at them or is it better to buy when the “clearance sales” go on in London, after 1st Jany. What did Carry think of yr red ribbons? did she think them good enough? if so, I am glad, but were you as smart as the other girls? I am glad you can enjoy the roller skates
[section missing?]
Mrs Sillitoe has been staying with Mrs. Hanington & Mrs Croft. I called on her. She is a great admirer of yours, & asked me so much about you. Of course it may be true what you say about B. & the Barcus[?]! but I am not disposed to believe it – that sister was rather unreliable & I fancy there is not money on either side. The excitement about the Stanleys has a little abated! people are beginning to talk of other things. The Cornwall girls were here today. I gave them yr message. There is to be a dance at Fred Pemberton’s on 1st & they are to stay at the house for it. Maud is to “come out” = she is not pretty yet so sometimes & is decidedly clever. We are anxiously awaiting news fr. Frank but he may come any day now. He has been very busy & I hope he has been making a little money for himself as well as a reputation for hard work. You can think how glad we shall be to see him. Jack has been at home a good deal lately & has, I think, been trying to read. When you can [?] one in about this; I am sure you will. I took a lift into town in his cart and found it very comfortable. I will ask him about Mr. S. & tell you. I does seem singular, but may only be a coincidence, and don’t dwell upon it. You have not mentioned Jessie lately – has she invited you to stay? We hear Effie is going to Egypt! A nice trip for her! Will it by sea, or overland? I am glad you enjoyed the concert. You have not been to any of the Theatres! I went up to Govt H. Yesterday forenoon, poor old Mrs. Glennie is a great sufferer, I fear & Mrs Dewdney is looking “used up”. I hope you have been able to send a card of remembrance at the N. Year to Mr. & Mrs. Dewdney, they have always been so kind to you at yr birthday. Yr account of the Misses Benn is not pleasing – it is a pity they are not at a good school but then their mother leaves them with their Granny in order to benefit the latter so I feel sorry that the result shd be so unsatisfactory. I hope you will be able to have the ermines arranged to yr taste & what are you doing about the fur-lined cape? Have you bought a good travelling rug? light but warm? You know you were to do so. I hope to send the beginning of the “List” in a few days! It seems as if we were going to have some more cold. & ok! I do so want you to send, by post, as soon as ever you can two prs of those India gauze drawers that Jack delights in. He has but one shirt &c &c. The price will be about 8/a pr so, with postage, they will cost £1. Can you get these sent at once? They are on Store List page 659. Men’s 36 ins, gauze merino pants – if you are not in town, can yiou write to yr Uncle or to Mr. Bourke, or Ernest Ashley? as you say he is nice! Perhaps Grace or Harry but I am ashamed to write & ask her. I have been so wicked in not writing. This ought to have been done whe you first went to London but was forgotten & they are such awful things to mind. I must leave this unfinished God bless you my darling Puss
Yr fond Mother
Back to Letters 1896-97
This collection of letters has been digitized from an earlier transcription project and is for informational purposes only. This transcription has not been verified against the originals. Researchers interested in these letters should consult the original documents housed at the BC Archives.