1 D2109/9/4/B. Thursday
Nov,1915 Dearest Mammy, Thank you very much for the
washing square, it will do splendidly and is
quite soft enough if you make the
others the same. We have 31 beds and so does the
next door ward. The men are supposed to
give them up when they go out and we boil
them up for the next patient; but they often
take them with them, so you can see we need
a good many. Auntie B. forwarded one
or two which are already in use.
Now that the family are scattered it’s
hard to find time to write lettters of them all.
You say no more news of Terry, but have
heard absolutely nothing except that he has 2 arrived in France and would like to know
a little about what he is doing. We are allowed two fires a week in
our rooms, and as this is my evening off, I am
luxuriating in one, and as it really has been
a very cold day. I looked up Miss Monaghan to-night, a
nice big rosy-faced girl, and found her very
busy in the new orderlies hostel, getting their
dinners ready. That is her job, but she hopes
to get into the hospital soon. It is my half
day to-morrow, so I am going home with her
to Eailing. I had a nice letter from
Mrs Bruce at Airlie Gardens asking me
there, deleted text I really find my half days
booked up for some time, but must go and
see her some time. I would like to spend my evenings off
at home; it is too dark to go any place,
and I want some of the family to talk to— I arranged to have tea with Miss
Juhr twice, but had to put off both times.
She has asked me again next Saturday to
meet E. Andrews who is staying at Streatham,
I must really try to go this time. She says
you are so good about writing to her,
and that she is very happy. I went to leave
a note in the other day and such a funny
little French nun deleted text opened the door,
and talked French so quickly to me
I couldn’t understand what she said— I have such a nice ex-taxi-cab driver
in the ward now, he is quite a friend of
mine, and does all sorts of jobs for
me. One queer little man who was shot
through the throat and can talk in nothing
but whispers, will call me nothing but “Phyllis”, 3 I don't know why. He is like a little gnome
in a red coat and small brown cap and
is always squatting on the floor. Another
very young boy is so frightened of me and
the ear syringe that he always disappears
when it is his turn for treatment, and I
have to keep a very severe eye on him.
He had an operation for adenoids to-day
and for once was quiet and asleep when I
left. Another operation patient to-day who
is generally as quiet and good as anything
was very obstreperous coming round and tried
to get out of bed and swore like anything.
You never know how they will behave. I liked the Somewhere in France poem
very much.Such an annoying thing happened
to your last enclosure. I got the letter
just when I was due on the ward, read
yours hastily and put the rest in my
apron pocket to read when I got home,
4 I left with it in my pocket and must
have dropped it in the street, as I had lost
it when I got back, and could find it no
place though I hunted all round. I am going to be rather a bother and
ask you to send me a rug, or a blanket
off my bed. I have two and an
under one here, but being a chilly person
I don't find it enough and would like
another for winter. I am afraid it
will be an awkward thing to send.
Please address to 5 Henderson Rd. and
not the hospital. I got my travelling expenses last week,
rather a nice surprise, as I had almost
given them up, and I expect we will get
some washing money soon. Lately we have
been getting £1-13-4 a month, but we
expect to get more later. Emma seems to be having a pretty hard
D2109/9/4/B 5 time at Alexandria, I wish we had been
nursing together. Best love dear, I hope you are
keeping well, it will be a queer Christmas
for us all. Yours ever Celia