1 Nov. 3rd
1915 Dearest Mamma I enclose a lot of letters that were
forwarded to me thank you so much for
sending them, it was nice seeing them
all. Olive’s poem and Molly Carson’s
letter was were picked up by one of the orderlies
just outside the hospital, and she returned
them to me. It must have dropped out of
my pocket just as I left. I am glad
it turned up. I liked the poem. Emma
seems to be having a queer life at
Alexandria. I want to try to join her
when my 6 months here are finished
and will write to the St. John's Headquarters
about it, if you approve. The War
Office wrote and asked some of us 2 who had been here longest to volunteer for
a hospital ship. I didn’t as I am such
a bad sailor and I think they got
enough quite easily. I got my travelling voucher all right
when I left home, but I spent 10/ on inci-
dental expenses, cabs etc, which the War
Office has just paid to me now. After
this we get extra pay, £1 -13/4d for
sure every month, and about £2
more I expect over from our govern-
ment allowance; this however depends
on how much is spent on food,
lighting, housing etc. So far it has
all been used up, but now that
the furnishing etc is paid for, we are
to get all the extra money, so I think
we are well treated. We have nothing
to pay out of this except our washing, so
I hope soon to be able to repay you
the money you advanced for my uni-
form. I went and saw Miss John one evening,
so I have got that off my chest. She
seemed very happy and delighted in
her work. She says the War Office of-
fered her a good post, but she wouldn’t
leave her present job! She was all
over me and kissed me when I went
away. Such a funny little room
she has, and attended by a dear little
French nun in a wide starched cap
who doesn’t know a word of English.
Eva Andrews wants to join her there,
but at present there is no room.
I had supper with all the other boarders, 3 an odd collection of females, some old
ladies, two young Belgian girls, and
one or two of the hard-working strenuous
English type. The Mother Superior apolo-
gised for "pas de viande" as it was a
fast day, so we supped on eggs and
vegetables and suet pudding. Miss Monaghan and I went out to Ealing
on a pouring wet day, and I had
tea and dinner with her family.
The mother seemed a rather uninterest-
ing person and the other sister was
fair and pretty with features exactly
like Olive's; she reminded me of her
all the time. They live in a
flat overlooking the golf links and have
dreadful pictures on their walls. They
were very kind and begged me to 4 go back; they all seemed to be in love
with Terry, especially the mother. Miss
Monaghan gets £1-10/ a week as cook
at the orderlies' hostel, but of course,
she was well-trained in London. I am
sure she is a capable person, very bright,
and a great talker. I was rather tired last half day, so
I went to see Mrs. MacLeod again and
curled up in a big chair by her
fire while she read and recited to
me. Then we went out together
and looked at frocks at her dress-
makers. Such a pretty little mannikin
showed them off - and then we
went and chose her a new black
hat trimmed with fur. I stayed 5 on for dinner as "Bill" was away
shooting, and was introduced to Hindy.
Mrs. MacLeod's Ladies Made
The house is so pretty, it makes one
quite sad to see it all, everything so
beautifully planned by a young bride.
Her husband has gone to the front
and she has gone home. I hope he
will come safely back to his pretty
house. I wonder if Helen would
lend me Rupert Brooke's poems, Mrs.
MacLeod read me some, and I would
like to see the others. I'll send them
safe back to her. Many thanks for all the squares,
I wrote a note to Miss Bruce, but please
thank her too the next time you see her.
Mrs. MacLeod was going to have tea with
Mrs. Harper, and was surprised when I
told her I had just been there. The rug hasn't turned up yet, but I
expect it will come all right. It was nice getting all that money
for Emma's men, the ones here have a
good many people to visit them, so they
don't need things so much. It is sad about Dr. O'Brien, I suppose
she will be left dreadfully badly off.
Colonel Bruce-Porter has gone to a
hospital in France and we have a new
head. I think the late Colonel is
coming back to take some of the staff
out with him, and some of the V.A.D's
hope to go too. I think I am getting my November day 6 next week, and if so will go to the
Tillings; it is a nice easy place to get
at from here. If you are sending me a cake, I
should like one of our nice chocolate
ones best. I make myself funny
suppers of force and buns or bread
and milk and biscuits. We have a
big stodgy midday dinner, large helps of
meat and vegetables and pudding.
It is very dark getting up these mor-
nings. Please thank Molly for her letter,
I shall write to her soon. Ever your loving Celia