9. I can write with a little more heart today

Elsinore

October 7th 1917

My dear darling Norman

Another Sunday and another letter, but I can write with a little more heart today for I have had a cable from you and know you have arrived in England now safe and sound. You can't tell what gladness that cable brought to your Father and I. We never heard one word about the boat since she left here and never got a line so you may discern we were in a state. If you posted any letters in America we may get them tomorrow Monday as mail came in yesterday.

Yes Norman we had gladness and sorrow. On Friday we just got your Cable as we were ready to go to Manly to poor Uncle Arthur's funeral. He died Thursday morning at 1 o'clock and buried on his birthday. He was just 71 the day he was buried. He passed away very peacefully they say. I think it was heart failure. There was no one with him but Maggie and she did not seem to feel it very much, never shed a tear all the time we were there, even when the corpse was taken out. But she may feels it more afterwards and it might be worse for her. You might send her a card of sympathy -17 Norton St, Manly is her address.

You know Foster Harrison is in England at the Munitions making? You might see him there. Have you seen Clarrie yet? and Charley Holmes. Mrs Nobles boy has been wounded. She got a cable to say he was wounded and then got another to say severely, so he may be bad. Mr Manning came home last night after a week's spell. Mr Gooud had a lovely letter from Charley Cox. He sent another pound to the Rectory fund. You had better send another or get me to pay one for you. 

How are you getting along with your money. Have you plenty? I suppose you didn't spend much on the boat. Give me an account of all your doings. Going over, how many concerts you had and everything and if you were sick. How do you like London? I suppose the weather is getting cold now, but you have good warm shirts you ought not feel it to much. And wear those drawers if you feel cold. I suppose you get you clothes washed over there. You would want your surplus washed too.

I was up at Illma's for three days. I went up on 8 hours day [public holiday] and stopped till the Wednesday. The place looks lovely and we had such feeds of mushrooms. They had plenty of rain and everything looks green and nice. I saw the air ship?plane one day up in the clouds. I suppose you have seen them. Look out for the raids Norm and don't be out. They have plenty of them over London now. Are you stopping in London or are you going anywhere else? 

They sent me from the Melbourne YMCA, a lot of letters they received from different Secretaries that wrote to them telling them all they had been doing in different places and they are very interesting. Mr Gooud said he will have a read of them some time. I suppose you will be sending them one day. 

Well, Norm is there anything you would like me to send you. Any papers you would like? I only send you Saturday's paper. I might send the Observer if I think of it and you get them. If you would like any others, let me know and I will send them. What was it you said about your War Bond?  I have not been over about it yet. I may go next week. 

I had a letter from George Goodsir? to know if I would take him and Maggie for a while. They want to come for a holiday. 

The garden looks fine Norman, but the snails are very bad. Well my dear son goodnight. Pa will soon write. I will leave you in God's care. I know he will take good care of you and bring you home safe to your dear ones 

with love and kisses from your Mother