15. Pa hasn't written yet

Elsinore

Nov 18 17

My dear Norman,

Another Sunday and another letter. I thought I would have had one from England this week but I must have one the next mail surely. it will be seven weeks next Wednesday since your arrival in London. I think it is time I had  a letter and a good big one at that. Well old boy, how are you holding up? How do you fare in every day? Have you plenty to eat and drink? Be sure and tell me if you are short in any way and what you would like and I will send it if I can. We are having such funny weather here dear Norm for this time of the year - no sunlight hardly. Cloudy, raining and cold. Mr Gooud has his overcoat on today. He says it is just as cold as winter. He was teling me about a picture he saw in Sydney, called "Transgression". He says there is a woman in it the image of me. He took Mrs? over to see it one night and when this woman came on they both sung out "oh there is Mrs Barwick". He says it will be on here next week, so Mrs Cowell and I are going to see who the beautiful woman is for she must be beautiful if she is like me!

Archie Beach is home again, the first time since he left before you. I don't know if he is going to Japan or not. He is at Newcastle today. I guess he is sad? for he wanted to be here for Church and Sunday school today. Miss Hollinan is at school today. She made up her mind to come back to teach. Doesn't mind if it is the little children or not. They are short of teachers. Mr Gooud says young Bert? is a Grand Secretary he is working every thing up well?? [this writing is hard to read, but I think you get the drift!]

You know they are having a Bazaar next week and he is doing a lot towards it. Alick Grey has left the schools again. He and Mona are not speaking so he goes with another girl now. The way of the world isn't it Norman.

oh yes, oh no we got a letter from the Post Master at Rozelle to know if you would take a billet here, so your Pa went to see him and told him where you were. Your Pa is the same as before. I wonder if YES will be carried this time. Only the single ones will have to go first and they say there are enough single ones for 2 1/2 years. So they must expect the war to last for long enough yet. I sent Mr Gooud a tie for his birthday and I see he has it on today. Good boy isn't he. He came in for a buttonhole, our lovely little roses are out now. You know the ones he used to like. Our roses have been lovely this year.

Have you seen the Dog and Cat Cemetery? Clarry used to talk about. I don't think he is in England now, Aunt Mary said in her last letter. She thought he was at the Front now. 

The Painters have just finished the painting now and the place looks so nice dear Norm, only it wanted doing so badly now. I would have left it till you were coming home Norm and had it nice for you.

Illma, George and all the family are well, when I last heard from them. Says she writes of a Sunday. Pa hasn't written yet but sends his best love to you and hopes you are well and your loving Mother prays to God every night watch over you and bring you safely back to your loved ones. Goodbye with best love

from your ever loving Mother

PS Mrs Porter told me to remember her to you.