| Description | Very affectionate. Annie (her sister, also a nurse) has arrived, to be met by the writer and "Muff" (another sister, Myfanwy); visits to friends; (27 March 1893). Is honeymooning at Penzance; much about the sea; jolly and bantering in tone - "Harold is very good and treats me as if I were a Queen, he says he thinks I am perfect!! Poor man - ! is'nt [sic] he blind?"; news and views of their fellow-guests and future plans, although it is too rough for a sail to the Scilly Isles (7 October 1896). Is settled into the new house at Holly Cottage, Shifnal, Salop; the servant is satisfactory; her mother is sure to enjoy her visit to them at Easter; Harold thinks his mother-in-law is "a model of all the virtues and excellences"; is expecting a visit from "Mue" (sister Muriel); her Christmas with the Rawlins in Liverpool; Harold's moustache "waxed up" for the occasion; all the visits made over the festive season; (7 February 1897). The letter from H Ll R is largely a repeat of the previous one, he giving his version of Christmas at Liverpool; very affectionate in tone; (same date). Has moved to Donnington Wood, near Oakengates; account of Christmas chores, acknowledges parcels and letters; the 2 new servants; spent Christmas at Rugeley; the journey and preparations; her daughter Babs; the festivities; her son Wynn; plans an excursion to London to see her mother and Muff; (28 December 1899). Another Christmas season, and a great social event of 40 ladies "in full - no scanty - evening dress", much about one Alfred Darby; she must entertain this writer - "as soon as ever I get my temporary [sic] set of teeth in" - plans to invite about 45 people, and will hire "small tables, chairs & crochery - & palms"; hopes her mother and John (and Alfred Darby!) and Muff, will come; accommodation organized down to the last camp bed for the ultimate tweenie; the planned menu, by candlelight ("...has Uncle Reggie those candelabra they used to have at Plas Acton?"); there must be plenty of "palms & foliage"; prizes [for cards?]; "the Tuckers" offered parting guests "...cups of wishy washy bovril ! I shall have nice cups of good hot soup"; hopes "that tiresome old theater [sic]" will not "keep Muff too busy"; instructions to her mother to enquire about menu, invitation and programme cards, and a "book on suppers"; post-supper dances; Baby has a cold (25 December 1900) 2 ½ year later from Cork, birthday wishes to her mother; wishes Muff would take Amelia with her to S. Africa - "she could go steerage"; Amelia is devoted to Muff and addressee, "inspite of all the fuss she made about the money"; the coming Exhibition graced by the presence of the King and Queen and the decorations; rents are high in Cork but the town is bright and the shops are good, "...& plenty of trams and wide streets and heaps of churches!"
(30 July 1903) |