1 D2109/10/1/C ALEXANDRIA
(EGYPT) March 5—/16.

My dearest Mamma You say at the end of your letter which I got
today, that you sometimes long to see me & you may be sure I
do the same for you, but perhaps you will be astonished to
hear that you may see me quite soon after you get this letter
if not before. I cannot tell you when exactly. Matron says
she does not know herself, it might be this month and it might
not be till next. I suppose it depends when they have a hospital
ship free to take us but i think we are all going home. When
I was asked whether I would sign in again I said yes as I have been
very well all the time and they were being very strict about medically
examining everybody before the bad weather came on, but later the
Matron of our hospital came to the conclusion that she would
rather we did not sign in again. There is not enough work for us to
do at present. She does not think there is going to be and thinks
a lot of us would break up with the heat. All the Matrons are
not of the same opinion & some are keeping theirs V.G. D's on
& some of our girlsare rather indignant at our Matron for not
doing the same but I think she is right. She said to me that she
felt that there was not enough work to justify her keeping us on
& she felt it would not be honest to to do so though she would like to but
it was waste of Govt. money, she said she hoped no one would feel
hurt or think they had not been wanted, for she felt we had all
worked well & had been of great use & could be if we would join again
for home service or in France. She could not have been nicer about 2 D2109/10/1/C. ALEXANDRIA
(EGYPT) than she was to me personally but she has made a great mistake
in not having us all together and saying so, instead of speaking to individuals
but she is very shy & I believe could not face it & was afraid we
would all take it badly & be offended because she did not want us,
as it is we have all felt rather low for the last fortnight because
the girls at the other hospitals were asked to stay by their Matrons &
ours made us move. I think she hoped we would most of us
refuse to sign & save her the uncon task of telling us we were not
wanted, as it was I believe the majority said they would stay. March 7 We are having perfect weather at present, just nice
heat & the almond blossoms are all out. It is so funny here,
you see nasturtiums, sweet peas & all sortsof spring flowers
flowering at will. I am in an awfully jolly ward, or
rather wards, for there are four small wards with 12 beds in each
there are 3 sisters another V.A.D & myself, & the only
trouble is we have not enough to do. Sister Rice Oxley. A.J's
friend is my sister & she & I have great fun together. March 10th This is a very scrappy letter I am afraid, I am writing
this in bed on my half day, which I spent at teh Sporting Club
playing tennis with Capt Boyle, a Capt. Dibden & Rhoda Whyle.
I saw Molly & John Cannon there and she told me he was off to
M...probably on Wednesday, but she intends to stay on here
for thew present. We have heard no further news about
going home but I do not expect we shall get much notice before
hand, probably a line from me when I reach England will
be the first indication you will have. I shall be very sorry to 3 leave in many ways, but it will be very nice to be home and
seen you all again, and so nice to have a holiday! What my
next movements will be depends on the war I suppose like every
thing else. I should not mind going to France but I would hate
to be a V.A.D. in some English town where I didn't know anyone
I am sure Celia has a rotten time compered to what I have had
I have really been very happy here & have met with no disagree
ableness from sister or anyone else, & a lot of kindness from a
great many people. Matron told me she would try &
let us all go to Cairo for a day or two before we went home so I,
hope she will, I should hate to leave Egypt without seeing it and
the old Sphinx. They have opened sch a nice club for Sisters & V.A.D's here, very
nice tea room, writing room & sitting room, with nice chintz curtains
big settees and cushins, really very comfortable!. It would have
been more of a look in the colder weather & the dark evenings
The subscription is only 2/- a month, & tea costs 4 piastres
It is funny to think how soon I may see you all! What talks
we will have. Best love to you all dearest
Ever your own Emma