1 Togherstown Ballinea 25 Jan 1916 My dearest James, Your letter this
morn was indeed a very pleasant
surprise I was not expecting a line
from you so soon, Yesterday 2 I wrote you a note saying I had
mumps I was frightened hearing
every one say they are so dangerous
for grown up people they are
nothing at all at least they
won't prevent my going to
town on Sat if Mother is
home by that time, Jennie
sent us a letter today saying
she was keeping her untill
Thursday that is alright if she
does not keep her longer you
know I am anxious for her return
for the one reason still I encourage
her to stay for Jennies sake
she is so far from home & Mother's
visits will I think be few & far between
so you will understand if we
dont get off as soon as we expected
but I am sure we wont be
later than Monday It is not 3 So long to wait tho' it seems
like a month since Mother
left. You say you have been
thinking of me for so long
that no doubt makes me feel
oh so flattered & happy still
it is hardly possible for me
to believe it since it is scarcely
a year since you came to know
me at all that is when I was by 4 this time last year a few months
before that about Oct I suppose
you do not remember we meet
in a tram you did not know
me and as well as I can remember
we did not speake, my fault
I suppose. I was with Jennie
& Jack. So now — I must
watch for Venus perhaps
this evening. 5 Mrs Seery has just been
here now with a letter to
your Mother for the post telling
her we will go on Sat so that
looks good for us. Jerome was down on Sun.
& in the even Mrs Jonnie & Ned
went to Balrath. The boys
I heard lost heavily
at the cards in a short time
Mrs S heard the Kilbeggan
bride diet read to a very
low degree she was very angry
with the dancers for putting
in their horse there disturbing
her father etc. I know you wont
feel hurt at the lack of friendship
there if you did I would not tell
you. Jack Nolan is out
there working to day he was
to dinner & when all were gone 6 he said ''corse you'd be thinking
yourself too good for a deacent
farmer as well as the rest.'
I said I was afraid I would
he shook his head & went out
he must have been making a
match for me he often tried that
on with Jennie you know. I fancy you have enough of this
so I will say goodbye with
warmest love but keeping the kisses
for a long time yet: thanks for you tho' Your ever loving May