36 Don't have anything to do with Widows!

Elsinore
27 Spring Street
Balmain
30th March 1918

My dear darling son

I have not received more letters from you. I got one on Monday and a photo from you and that is dated Feb 8th and then today I got another dated Jan 28th  and a medal about the sinking of the Lusitania so you can see I got the first letter last and the last letter first. So you can't tell how they come. Write and post them and they catch the first mail. Pa has not got his letter yet. You said you had written to him. It may come yet. I am glad you got the draft all safe! I only received your cable today and got your card last week. The cable is dated 21st Feb so you see I got the card before the cable. They take such a time to come now and cost such a lot. I think this card is lovely, such lovely words in it. I never saw one life it before. I think you must had had it printed with Mum on it.

Well dear Norman, I am glad to know you are settled in your little kiosk now and hope you get on alright. You seem to have it more comfortable, with your electric light, and heaters, chair, cushions and flowers. I think I must get a radiator this winter and be as grand as you...but you are going into the summer and we into the winter. We have had a very mild summer. In fact you could harly call it summer. I never knew a summer like it - as long as I can remember. I think we will have a long cold winter.

What sort of Lady is your lady in Charge? Mind your heart Norman and unless you find a girl like your sister with a sweet, amenable temper ...but don't have anything to do with Widows - their husbands may be turning up some day and then what a fix you're in.

I suppose you feel very big with your cheque book now, you can share with me!! When you have as much money as the King. I am glad you enjoyed your visit to O......., it would be a nice rest for you. You may be sure I am glad I am not in London and having to take my turn at the Butchers. I don't think I would often go. I would go without meat first. I hope it never comes to that here. I have sent you two parcels dear Norm and would like to hear if you got them, before sending more, and how the things in them were.I had a nice cake made, iced all over and would like to know that was when you got it and Illma's pudding; was it any good? I would like to send you some eggs but know they would be bad, kept so long. The next parcel I will send by one of the Secretaries (YMCA workers) , if there are any going. Mr Gillanders told me to. He said they would be going in May.

Wel Norm this is easter Saturday. Yesterday was a hot clear day- did you have any buns? the same here as last time. You had to go for them. I went in to the 3 hour service but instead of 3 we had 4 hours. I was getting tired and thought he was a long time and when we came out it was 4 o'clock. Mr manning said he thought it was only 3! We have the Church all done up for tomorrow and it looks very nice. Poor pa had a busy week this week at the Church. At the carnival minding the cricket grounds and of course he had to get someone to attend the Church but everything passed off alright. He missed his own dear boy for that he is down there tonight and Monday night is the last and I am very glad and Pa too. He gets 10/- a night, not too bad is it? but it is too late. We are not in bed much before 12 o'clock. We had Olivet and Calvary on last night. Johnny Sloper? and Meg Hancock were singing but I was only in for 1/2 hour. George came in just as we finished tea and he didn't care about going in. So I didn't like stopping while he was here. You might say it was his first time he ever was here. You remember he came one night when we were all in bed and away the next morning before we were up! So he stopped all night and till the midday train and went home with Claude. he is in love with this place. Says we have a lovely place.

Well Norm I have given your money all in. They were all very pleased to get it and are going to thank you themselves.

Sunday morning
I was in this morning at 8 o'clock Communion. There were a good number there. More than last Easter. They got over 9.0.0 I believe. There were only 6 at 6 o'clock. Pas has just been in and says there are a good many now at 11 o'clock. I don't hear Mr Gooude's voice. so I think he must be away on his holidays. We have had two mails in on top of one another, so I suppose it will be some time before we have another one in. There is one leaving here for England on Tuesday so I will post this tonight then it is sure to catch the mail. They are having the Sunday School Picnic I think it is to be the 15th of next month and a Concert the Wednesday before. I don't hear anything about the prozes...Oh, I forgot they presented the prizes some time ago. I think I told you in a former letter I think Mrs Irwin will be leaving after Easter. Her and Mrs best had a few words so she said she would leave. I don't know if she means it or not. She is a funny person. You never know when you have her or not. I am glad you are having some of the wind over there for we have had more than our fare share, but just at present we are having beautiful weather, lovely days and nice cool moonlit nights. Ideal weather I call it, but I suppose we will have storms after this. They had a terrible one in Melbourne. I sent you the papers about it. Did you get it? You can't get all the papers that I send for i have sent doubles. What you say you have received to the 15th December. I always send Saturday's Telegraph and sometime one or two more.

Well my darling I think I have written enough. You will be tried of reading. I hope you are well and happy and like your work. I hope the war will be over soon and that I will soon have my dear boy home again. That is all that I wish. I hear poor Uncle Archie is very bad. Willie was here the other day. He is going up to see him. You know that he is up at the Richmond River. Illma's family are all well, Pa and self. Pa sends best love to you and goodnight my darling Norman. God bless with best love and kisses from your loving and affectionate Mother.