1 'GLENNGARIFF.' RUDGRAVE SQUARE, EGREMONT, CHESHIRE. 25th May, 1916. My dearest Pierce, It was such a delight
to mother and myself to
get your long letter. Lang—
ford, having gone back after
his holiday, had written
once and we were ex—
pecting that in his next
letter he might be able to
tell us where you were. Mo—
ther and I were just dis—
cussing the matter at
dinner on Monday last, May
22, and impatient at not
hearing from Langford when
Nellie brought in from the 2
postman a letter in hand
writing that I did not know.
I opened it carelessly and
saw a printed form. I
began to wonder whether I
had received a summons for
something or other when I
turned it and lo, there were
your own handwriting and
signature. As you can
imagine the strain on me
for some time previously was
pretty severe, but this was
the first time I gave way
to the weakness of tears. It
was like having you with
us again for a while. Of
course Mother and I read
and re-read the letter and in
deed were charmed with the
spirit of it. It is just the
kind of letter we hoped for —
bright, brave, cheerful and
showing a disposition to
accept exerting conditions con-
tentedly. I cannot say how
glad I was to find not only
that you were well, thank
God, but that you were accep
ting your position philo—
sophically and resolved to
comply with the rules. Wherev—
er one is one can be happy by
striving to do God's Will! You will be anxious to
know how Mother is and
how she bears up. Thank
God she is quite well and
has borne up wonderfully.
Indeed everybody who has
come to see her has been
gratified to find how well 3
she has kept up her spirits.
Of course she and I have
thought much about you,
have been thinking of you
every day and every hour ; but
your assurances that you are
in the best of health, that the
place in which are is very
healthy, being close to the sea,
that the prison is admirably
managed, that everybody
seems to be fairly treated,
that the food is good and
sufficient and the work not
too hard, and that you are
allowed books to read in
spare moments, have given
us great comfort. We have
had quite a number of visitors
during the past few weeks.
Mrs. O'Callaghan and Mat
came and spent an evening
with us. She is as vivacious 4 'GLENGARIFF.' REDGRAVE SQUARE, EGREMONT, CHESHIRE.
5
and his wife came last Sun—
day. We have had a very
warm-hearted letter from
Father James and Aunt
Ellie has sent a couple of
long letters during the
past fortnight. The Longs
have all had a rather bad
attack of influenza, but they
are now better. We have
been hearing of course from
Carey and I have a very kind
note from Canon Walsh of
Liscard. Nora Murphy and
Mr. Lamble dropped in one
evening. Nora was to return
to the college at Hull next
day. She is not keeping up
correspondence with the old
man now. Langford had quite a singular
experience in returning
from his holiday. On Bank Holi—
day he went as far as Holy—
head but found he could not
go farther and returned on
Tuesday. He remained here till
Friday and then went as far
as Kingstown, but returned
again and remained for an—
other week. Like the dove
of the Ark, when he went
a third time he did not
return. He wrote once and
said he was hard worked. We
are expecting a second letter
from him. I have written to
your landlady, asking her
to send the bill and I have
asked Langford to call on her
for your clothes, etc. I am writing
to Mr. J.J.O'Kelly, of M.H.
Gill and Son, telling him, as
you have requested, that you
have given him power to do 6
as he likes with the manu—
scripts you left with him. Many friends of yours have
been enquiring about your
health and of course I have
been happy to tell them you
are very well and to give them
your kind regards. I have asked
Langford to do likewise. And now that I am draw—
ing to a close, I would say : Keep
your spirits up and be of good
cheer. God is good. We are well
and shall try to keep well
till you come back, please God,
and I am sure you will be as
careful of your health as you
can. You will, no doubt, be able
to let me know through the Gov—
ernor when I can see you and I
shall do so at any cost or trouble.
The garden is nice now, but we
shall, please God, have it nicer when
you come. Langford has talked & thought
much of you. May God give you every
pleasure. With the fondest love of our
hearts from Mother him and myself I am ever & ever affectionately Father.