1 D2109/10/1/A Jan Dearest Mamma, you willbe surprised to see me using a typewriter
Miss Hollins had hired one by the month -a thing I did not know
one could do, and has left me a legacy of it, I strongly suspect
her of having got it for my benefit- any how I am very glad to have
it and mean to practise strenously. It is a Remington and not a
bad one at all t hough rather old-fashioned. Miss Roberts wants you to keep the socks for the use of the
Ulster Division. I had a letter from Emma which she says not to pass on as she
is writing to you herself, she evidently did not get some of our
letters, and had fears about your present having been lost. She says, I shall never regret having come out here, part
of it is unpleasant, but all of it is Life and the more I see and
the older I grow, the more I think Life with a big L is something and
ought not to be muddled away in corners, and yet no doubt some of
us must live in corners! I am afraid I am in a corner but it is
not too cramped and quite comfortable! My cold is much better and I was out to-day, I was rather miserable
when I arrived. Mrs Hollins latest idea is to send Emmie here to Miss Randall's
school, she will live here of courseand Miss Roberts is greatly
pleased at the prospect, another cousin, a Miss Dalbiac is to come
also, but she will board out. It seems a very sudden idea and as 2 D2109/10/1/A she knows nothing at all about it except what Miss Roberts spoke
o e my having told her, I am rather surprised after all the talk
about keeping Emmie so exclusive! Those sort of people are
never consistent. Saturday. Dorothy's letter and the nougat from Emma has just arrived—
what lovely stuff! Miss Roberts is as lively as ever and expecting two more elderly
ladies to stay, as well as Mrs Hollins and Emmie coming on
Monday, so she has plenty of amusement in store, and variety which
is the breath of life to her. The minute she is unoccupied she
begins to fuss the whole household with little messages and fusses
(which must be done at once) just by way of giving herself occupation. My cold is nearly gone but it took a good deal out of me, coughing
at night, so I am taking things easy. I hear Col. Donnet is better. I've not seen them yet. There is driving rain and no sun here this morning but it is
extraordinarily warm. I t must be very dull for poor Ruth, I do hope there will be no
more cases. I'm glad the new cook promises well. I am most anxious to
hear about the disposal of Mrs Hincks' things.
Much love to all. Wife of the Rev. Thomas Hincks, uncle
of Mamma. Ever your loving Olive