1 Nov. 9th 1915 To Middle Hall
3rdLondon General Dear Ruth I have owed you a letter for some time to really its hard
to find time to write to all the family they are so scattered at
present. I wonder how you are getting on, I have heard little of you,
write and tell me about the students. How many have you got
now? Do you find it hard to keep them in order? Its funny to think
of Biddy being there. Mrs MacLeod was enquiring about her. I
went to her again last half day. It was pouring outside and I was
very tired, so I ended up in a big chair by the fire and she recited to
me for ages. She must have a wonderful memory. You don't know
how nice an armchair and a fire are until you have been
running about on your feet all week. I didn't bother to talk
much and stayed for dinner. A Mrs Brown was there for
tea who made pretty speeches about my poems. I would love to get
home for Xmas, but of course there is no chance of it. I have been
here 5 months now and suppose will be asked to sign on again
soon. They asked some of us to volunteer for a hospital ship yes—
terday but I didn't think I was a good enough sailor. I think when
my 6 months are up I shall try to join Emma in Egypt — We get quite responsible work to do now, always under supervision
of course. I expect to spend this afternoon in the theatre, but
none o#f the operations are bad ones, and I am getting rather
good with people's tonsils and noses. One of the men has 2 written a lovely poem about me and the ear syringe, I must get
a copy of it. Mrs MacLeod was going to tea with Mrs
Harker and was so surprised when I told her I had
first been there. I spent an evening with Miss July who
was all over me and kissed me when I was going away,
she loves her work, and though offered a good post by the
War Office would not leave for anything! A queer little
French nun who knows no English looks after her rooms, and
we had supper with all the other boarders, a queer —
looking crew. The Mother Superior apologised for 'pas de viande'
as it was a fast day. I went with Mrs Monaghan
to have tea and dinner with her people at Ealing. I wasn't
much taken with them, though they were very kind, and are
is very pretty. Marjorie is cook at one of the hostels
here and gets £1 a week, which is pretty good. She is a great
talker, rather fat and jolly, and business like — I have
just have an affectionate letter from Evelyn Henry asking me
to Hurlingham again but I have booked up my next two or
3 half days and it is too far to go in my 3 hours off. I want to get the St John overcoat & hat, this cloak is a
miserable garment and very cold now, but will have to wait till
I get my next month's pay, as I suppose Garrold's would
expect cash. I never write a line, what have you been
doing? Please send me a copy of the "Lovers Toll" for Mrs MacLeod
the next time you write. Best love, Celia.