1 D2109/10/1/B. Dunowen,
Belfast. Feb. 27, 1916. Dearest Celia I hear you have
had snow and now it has
come to us and is sleeting
at present. The dry cold of
the last few days is worse
than snow. Sam and Ivan are over again.
Aunt Margaret is not well.
She was to have come for
tea yesterday with Mrs Finlay
but sent a message to say
she was in bed. I only
thought of her usual indigestion
but it appears this morning
there is something wrong
and Dr Malcolm called in
Mr Kushi, who advises an 2 operation towards the end of
the week. I do not know what
they think is wrong. Not
appendicitis; perhaps some tumour
I hope it will be all right.
but it makes one feel anxious
I suppose Marjorie will be
recalled, but have heard
no details. I will let you
know if there is anything
to tell later. Your father & Dorothy walked
down to see the Ewing's yester—
day. It is a great pity of poor
Minnie. Willie insists they
are ruined and never ceases
mourning and she poor
thing! has no-one to relieve
guard, or cheer her, in any
way. After being so ill too! They finished up at the Days'
and saw his etchings, which
are very good. In the meantime
we had Mrs Finlay & Kathleen
here for tea. James is ill
with rheumatism, so they
have no car. It must be
dull for them and, I think,
they were glad to come. We tried to have Mr Knox
& Hugh Hamilton, for dinner
but both were engaged, so
the only guest was Barry.
Captain Jackson has been
sent to Cork and Evi Evans
son to Newry. We saw the Johnston's house
on Monday; really very nice
prettily done up and quite
country in its look—out. 3 They got it all very prettily
done up and ready. Gwen
has a lovely room over the
smoking room, looking out over
the Hollywood hills. We went to the Red Cross
works on Thursday, again,
with much the same results.
In addition to Mrs George Andrews
there was Mrs Bell of Whitethorne,
and Dr Bell's wife (Miss Hacks)
who has now taken the little
house, the Hut, where the
other Bells lived. Mrs Andrews
told me that poor Mrs Kirkpatrick
the dressmaker, has been dead
for some months; some internal
complaint. I feel quite sorry,
she was such a good, natural
creature. 4 D2109/10/1/B. 2 Dunowen,
Belfast. I had nice letters from Clive
& Emma. Both very cheery.
I have sent them to Standtown
and will afterwards send
them to you, via Molly as
I write to her next. I am
glad the girls were going
to the Bruces, MacLeods and
Garretts for holidays — I had a nice letter of thanks
from the sister-in-charge and
she said you were very
useful and they were glad
to have you. I replied as
politely as possible. I am glad you have made
some other acquaintances. 5 I suppose a Unitarian would
be worse than a
Roman Catholic to Mr
Thorpe! It is funny coming up
against the Christie Millers.
Emma shared a sleeping
compartment with Lady Dufferin
who was very kind. The Aunts were in very good
form and pleased with
their tub and stand.
Mr Cormick brought the
manured pots of pink begonias
and we looked quite gay
but Peter was frightened
by the crackers and retired
to 'barlnet' trembling. I never
saw him daunted before.
I took him a walk yesterday
when Ruth and Helen were at the canteen and he
was very good. We are as dull as usual,
with no news. It is freezing
and the birds very glad of
crumbs. Many thanks and
Much love from Your own Mammy