26. Mum hears about "that sort of woman" in London and warns her son

Elsinore

27 Spring street

January 12 1918

23 letter (Maria is a little out with her counting)

            Dear Norm, you never said if you had seen Mr Fisher and what did he say to you - did he receive 

 you friendly?

My dear darling Norman,

Another letter to you. I was in hopes I would have another letter from you before I wrote again, but such is not the case. I don't know when there will be another mail in. I believe the Anchises came to Melbourne last week, but I have not seen anything of the Officer of the parcel yet. The troops from here came overland by train. I don't know if she came on to Sydney or not, but I suppose it will turn up one of these days.

Well my dear boy how are you getting on and what are your duties and how do you like it?is it up to your expectations? Tell me all when you write.

You are away 5 months now. I can hardly believe it. Time flies doesn't it? What sort of weather are you having. Is it very cold. it is more like winter weather here. It has been raining all day yesterday and today and tonight. I see by the paper that Windsor expects a flood. The river is rising. There is one thing George has all he potatoes sold. He had them in early, so had them dug early. He got a fair price for them, but they are very cheap now. Of course George has corn in and lucerne in. I don't know if a flood will injure them or not, but the rain is easing off a bit. There may not be a flood and the rain will do good.

You know they are making our side street. We will have a step down from our back gate, but it will be nice when finished. The only thing it will bring more traffic up and down and not so private as it was and we will get more dust. I saw Jonny Anderson, the returned soldier in Church last Sunday. He looks splendid. So fit and well and joining Colin Candsell. He looks fit and well too. You know he used to take fits I think that is what he was sent home for. The Dr says if he went into hospital and under an operation he may be cured of them. So I think he is going to.

I had Eileen here last night. She looks very well now. She has gone home tonight.

Claud is to be moved to Richmond soon. That will be better for Illma, she won't have to be up so early in the morning. George looks well. He is fat, if only a little of his fat she would do.

Young Cansdall does talk a lot about the London girls. He says they are terrible - come up and say anything to you. Some of the boys say some of the girls asked them while they were over there. I trust and hope my dear boy that you keep clear of that sort. I wanted your father to give you a talking too, before you left, about that sort of woman, but I don't think he did and it was only his place to do so. For I don't think you knew too much about that sort of thing. I think you were pretty innocent, but my dear boy mind yourself and live a clean life. No doubt you will meet nice responsible girls and you will know how to treat them and they will respect you and think more of you.

I will enclose September papers in this letter, I thought the last too heavy. I expect I will have the photos to send next letter. You will see what frights. I never make a good photo, but Illma's and mine are not too good. If you had been in the group I would have had an enlargement taken of it. When you come back we must have them all taken together. You will be able to tell us all about the King and Queen when you come back. I guess you took a good quizz of them.

Out trees are growing so big in the year now, we have no view of the water. We must have them cut down again. Poor Uncle Arthur won't be here to cut them up this time. Now my dearest boy, I must close. Pa sends best love to you and I hope you have his letter before this. I sent tyhe duplicate of that raft last letter. I hope you got one or the other. I will send another parcel with my Pudding and cake. When they are sending again and then won't end any till I hear from you. 

Goodnight dear Norman, with best love and 15 kisses, from your loving Mother.

ps Sunday afternoon. Archie Beard just came in, says to tell you he may be over soon. he will find you out. I think he will be going next week so he told Mrs Gooud, but doesn't want it to be known.