22. getting too much Englishfied

Elsinore

27 Spring Street

Dec 24.17

My dearest Norman,

 I can't say another Sunday and another letter for this is Monday ( Xmas Eve). I could not sit inside to write yesterday for it was an awful day. Coming so soon after the cool weather we have had made us feel it more. We have had some lovely weather lately. Nice sunny days and lovely cool nights. You can imagine what it is like for we have not slept out yet until last night. I slept out myself for your father wouldn't but I think he will tonight for it is nearly as bad, but there is a Southerly coming so it may be cooler.

Another thing is that there is no mail coming till Thursday so I have plenty of time. Well my boy I have had no letters from you this mail as yet. Some of them got their letters today, morning and evening, but not poor me and there is no delivery tomorrow so I will have to wait till Wednesday. I was just speaking to Mr Gooud. He says May and Amy had one from you today and he had a card and that you were well. so that is something. I had a card from the YMCA Melbourne today and a nice little brooch - silver with the YMCA on it. I will enclose the card. I also got another lot of letters from them - all typed. I see one from Meg Insdale ?. Suppose I will see one from you in the next lot I get. They are interesting.

I had Illma down for a few days and Claude from Friday night till Sunday. We went down to Manly for a ..... on Saturday. It was lovely. The sea was calm and we enjoyed it. Saw Aunt Maggie and Violet in the hospital there has been there two weeks now but is getting better. I had letters from Aunt Bates ? and Ethel. Ethel's husband is coming home. I guess she is glad. I don't know whether Acton? is in Egypt or France.

I like your photo dear Norm. I was showing them to Mrs Birmby? and she said you were too much Englishfied, she would sooner have you an Australian. I suppose having the walking stick she thought you were a bit uppish. She would sooner have the one you had taken here. The children got their prizes on Friday night and oh Norman there was such a difference when you were here. The place has not been full and they seemed to have such a few little books and bibles for the teacher were small. Mr Manning could not get any of them to sing. One little boy played a piece and that was all the entertainment we had. I was .......too for Illma and Claude were there. Oh one girl recited a piece.

Mr Gooud had dinner with us yesterday (our Xmas dinner) and no Norman here. Illma and Claude were here. I will just tell you what we had. Roast Rabbit and ham, green peas and potatoes, the Xmas pudding and sauce. It was very nice and went down alright. I am sending you a parcel, Illma and I between us. She has made a pudding and so have I so you will have the same as we had. I will make the two parcels, send one the first boat and the other on the next boat.

Well dear boy, where are you stationed? and what sort of quarters have you got and do you get plenty to eat?

Mrs Cox wants you to find out all you can about Charlie, if he was conscious at the last and if he said anything or not. Now dear boy I must close. Did you receive the draft in the last letter? Dad sends his love and same to my darling son from hi loving Mother.

Letter stamped 20 FEB 1918 (received)